As a Benson City Council member, I have meaningful levers to address industrial water use threats to the shared aquifer and San Pedro River, especially in a drought-prone area where cumulative strain from projects like ADI could affect residents, farms, wildlife, and the river's baseflow.
Arizona municipalities have authority over zoning/land use (including conditional use permits/CUPs), local ordinances, and advocacy with state agencies (ADWR for groundwater, ADEQ for permits/effluent).
Here's a practical, actionable set of solutions I could champion or initiate:
Arizona municipalities have authority over zoning/land use (including conditional use permits/CUPs), local ordinances, and advocacy with state agencies (ADWR for groundwater, ADEQ for permits/effluent).
Here's a practical, actionable set of solutions I could champion or initiate:
- Push for stricter conditions or revocation of the city's CUP (if public safety/water risks justify it after due process): Arizona cities commonly allow revocation/modification of CUPs via public hearings if conditions aren't met, new evidence shows detriment to health/safety/welfare, or substantial impacts emerge (e.g., examples from Pinetop-Lakeside, Huachuca City, Flagstaff codes). Demand a formal review/hearing on ADI's CUP, citing updated water data, cumulative aquifer stress, or non-compliance risks. This is a direct tool to impose or enforce water limits, monitoring, or halt phases if threats outweigh benefits.
- Advocate for mandatory independent water impact assessments and monitoring: Require any industrial applicant (including ADI) to fund third-party studies (e.g., ADWR/ADEQ-reviewed hydrologic modeling) before full operations. Push council resolutions or ordinance updates for ongoing metering/reporting of groundwater withdrawal and effluent use, plus real-time aquifer/river monitoring tied to triggers (e.g., if levels drop below thresholds, automatic restrictions kick in).
- Promote conservation and reuse requirements locally: Work with other council members to adopt or strengthen ordinances mandating industrial users maximize reclaimed water/effluent reuse (e.g., for cooling towers), low-water tech, and zero-waste cooling where feasible. Benson could model after Cochise County efforts (like the Cochise Conservation and Recharge Network) by partnering on recharge projects using stormwater or treated wastewater to offset industrial draws and support San Pedro baseflow.
- Collaborate on regional water security measures: Propose council support for Cochise County initiatives (e.g., expanding recharge basins, conservation easements in the watershed, or joining voluntary retirement programs for high-use rights). Lobby state reps (like your district's Lupe Diaz) and agencies for ADWR oversight on large non-exempt wells, or push for Benson to require "100-year assured water supply" proofs for major developments (similar to some county rules).
- Build transparency and community input tools: Introduce resolutions for annual public water reports, dedicated council water subcommittee, or town halls with ADWR/ADEQ experts. This keeps pressure on and educates residents, making it harder for unchecked growth.