Greg Kamrumph, principal analyst at Salt River Project (SRP), was the recent guest speaker at the Red Mountain Ranch Social Club.
Greg has more than 31 years in the water business and understands the concerns and issues in Arizona. “Arizona is an arid state, but we have had good water planners,” he said. “Before the birth of the Salt River Valley Planners Association, in 1903, there were 17 different irrigation companies in Arizona fighting over water.”
In 1937, the Roosevelt Dam was built, at a cost of $10 million, and all the canals were consolidated. This dam contributes 70 percent of our water supply. Other sources are Colorado River water, groundwater and reclaimed water.
Greg mentioned the fact California dumps their reclaimed water into the ocean, but, in Arizona, almost 100 percent of this water is used on golf courses, some water features and in other ways. We are a desert state, however, and there is room for improvement. Some residents and homeowners associations requiring grass need to re-think this and consider desert-friendly landscaping, Greg said.
Almond farms use water all the time, whereas row crops use water only while the crop is growing. Vineyards require much water also, but the Verde Valley is using Israel grown grapes for their vineyards, which need less water, and they are being watered with reclaimed water.
Another issue of importance is forest fires. According to Greg, SRP is actively engaged in the Northern Arizona Forest Foundation for the conservation of forests. The forests are too dense with little spindly trees between older larger trees, and the small trees are fuel for fires. This organization is working to thin the forests, improve the habitat and manage erosion. One of their goals is to raise awareness and foster conservation. To further this goal, they are going into schools to educate young people in the Phoenix area.
The Red Mountain Ranch Social Club would like to invite you, the readers of the Up Close newspaper, to attend our meetings. We meet on the second Thursday of the month, except December, at 9:30 a.m., to hear interesting speakers and presentations. We meet at the Country Club, located in the middle of Red Mountain Ranch. You do not need to be a member to attend.