Sponsored by Sustainable Arizona, the League of Women Voters Sedona-Verde Valley and Vision Sedona


Sustainable Arizona, the Sedona/Verde Valley green building group, in coordination with the League of Women Voters Sedona/Verde Valley and the citizen group Vision Sedona, presented the Sedona Water Workshop: Creating Proposals for City Water Conservation Programs and Ordinances. The workshop was one in a series of events scheduled by the League of Women Voters, for March Water Awareness Month – ‘A Call to Action.’ The workshop was an open public meeting designed to bring the community together for a discussion of local and regional water resource issues.

Guest speaker, Adam Miller, City of Flagstaff Water Conservation Manager, led the discussion by providing information about the evolution and current state of Flagstaff’s existing water conservation program. Additional information about other city water conservation programs, including Payson and Santa Fe, New Mexico, was also presented to workshop participants. David Monihan of WFM Engineers gave an overview of current ordinances and codes that govern water use, grey water disposal, effluent water, and water system fixtures.

Following the guest speaker presentations, attendees convened for small group sessions. Through facilitated discussion, the goal of each group outlined ideas and proposals for a water conservation program in the Sedona area, including both conservation policies and ordinances (voluntary and/or mandatory), and laws and plumbing codes for residential water fixtures.

In addition to Adam Miller and David Monihan, other local resource representatives attended to help with the group sessions including Mayor Dick Ellis and City Council Member Anita MacFarlane (regional water advisory committee member), Harvey Stearn (Sustainable Arizona Chairperson), Dorothy Hores (LWV Water Committee), William Eaton (Vision Sedona Chairperson), Charles Hinkley (expertise in hydrology) and Paul Lindberg (expertise in geology), Brian Lane (workshop coordinator), and local water company representatives.

Background:
Population increases resulting in higher water demands coupled with drought conditions have brought water issues to the forefront in the Southwest. In recent years many communities have begun to implement water conservation programs. Successes with these programs have demonstrated significant water savings, alleviating the need for water rationing.

About the Sponsors:
Sustainable Arizona was formed in the spring of 2003. The group’s stated mission is to promote, educate, and demonstrate on a local, regional, national and international scale, the benefits of sustainable community and development practices.

League of Women Voters Sedona-Verde Valley Water Committee is a leader in public education and advocacy about water issues.

Vision Sedona is a citizens group formed to encourage discussion about key issues that will affect the future of Sedona and Verde Valley. Identifying issues and seeking solutions creates the possibility for action.

As part of a group writing project completed in January 2004 Vision Sedona composed seven Vision Statements, including the statement: Water and Sustainable Sedona / Verde Valley.

For further information please contact:
Sustainable Arizona 254-0064