DW and I are considering a relocation to AZ after many visits there. We have relatives in Sun City and Peoria, but also enjoy Scottsdale, at least as tourists. We've travelled through most of the state and keep coming back to Maricopa county.
Can any locals describe the difference a new resident might experience in those towns? How fragile is the water supply for the next few decades?
Also, we're considering zero energy footprint houses and green building options. If anyone has specific recommendations on local builders there or developments, please suggest. We'd consider other cities if the right development was out there.
We're in Tucson and we don't worry too much about water for the "next few decades". The local utility claims that they believe they are good through about 2050. Then, things get more interesting. I doubt DW and I have 3 decades of healthy life left, so there will be more pressing concerns sooner.
In Tucson, the Colorado River supplies most of the water (CAP). We are currently "banking" water by recharging underground aquifers that feed our well water system. In other words, we "save" lots of water because we don't use our full CAP allocation.
Conservation is reasonably important down here. Water is expensive compared to say northern Great Lakes states, maybe 2-3x more costly. Tiered pricing takes a big bite when you go above "typical" usage. Lawns aren't that common, especially in public areas. Many HOA's forbid them, at least out front. Desert-scape or just plan dirt is common.
On the other hand, a number of people try to live like this is Florida. Pools and irrigated citrus trees are somewhat common. This still more common in Phoenix, which draws water from the Salt River systems as well as CAP. So there is some level of denial that we live in a desert, but then again, more opportunities, "low hanging fruit", for water conservation.
All this being said, I read that most AZ water goes to agriculture. There's a pumpkin farm down the road, Walmart sells AZ-grown watermelon, and I've seen cotton fields (yes, cotton!) along I-10. Given the $$$ pouring into the major metro areas, I suspect agriculture to be priced out over time before the cities dry out.
In any event, I think this a gradual, longer term problem. No sense of panic among the locals. I'll take water issues in AZ over forest fires & electric grid issues in CA, hurricanes on the coastal SE, or cold darkness for half the year up north. Life it too short, so pick your poison
