Oro Valley reports Jan–Sep water production: reclaimed use up, groundwater pumping higher overall; CAP wheeling reduces groundwater in countryside area

Director Abraham presented water production and consumption data for January through September at the Oct. 13 meeting, reporting that total supply across groundwater, CAP and reclaimed sources is “just under 7,000 acre feet a year.” He told commissioners reclaimed usage is up roughly 130 acre‑feet compared with last year, CAP deliveries remain near the town’s baseline wheeling level at about 1,900 acre‑feet, and groundwater pumping overall is up about 250 acre‑feet year‑to‑date.

Abraham pointed to a notable local effect in the countryside service area, which lacks reclaimed water: expanded CAP wheeling capacity there has reduced groundwater pumping by about 200 acre‑feet compared with this time last year. He said commissioning the northwest recovery and delivery system (NWRDS) will give the town more delivery capability so that, under higher demands, the utility can rely more on CAP deliveries and reduce groundwater pumping in the main service area.

The director also reviewed long‑term gallons‑per‑capita‑per‑day (GPCD) trends. He said the historical downward trend in GPCD has slowed and may be leveling, and he flagged growth and additional turf irrigation as possible contributors to an emerging upward pressure on consumption. Commissioners discussed weather patterns and conservation culture as influencing factors; Abraham said the NWRDS commissioning will increase CAP supply availability for the system.

No action was taken on resource targets at the Oct. 13 meeting; the item served as a quarterly informational update to the commission.