Local News

Some eyes were opened and some people were startled when they heard that, despite an increasing population and economic expansion, less water is being used in the City of Prescott now than 14 years ago.

In fact, water usage has decreased about 2 percent annually on average since 2014. That is what Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli told those attending a City Council work-study session Feb. 26. Mengarelli led the study session, saying, “I earlier did not have a great handle on our water portfolio, so we decided to get scientific data.”

The city contacted water expert Gary Woodard. Under terms of a $25,000 contract, Woodard began a long-term analytical study of past, current and future water conditions in early 2018. In his preliminary report in February, he presented initial findings. He will file a comprehensive final report later this spring.

During his report, Woodard revealed that in 2004, Prescott used 8,000 acre-feet of water. He contrasted that with 2018, when Prescott used just 6,700 acre-feet of water – 1,300 fewer acre-feet, even though 4,000 new water users had been added in those 13 years.

Woodard emphasized that his study involved data collected from water meter and utility data from the city, county and state.

Possible Reasons for Decreased Water Use

During his 45-minute presentation illustrated with PowerPoint graphs and charts, Woodard cited four factors that seemed to be driving the decline of water usage in Prescott. Among them:

Changing population demographics – smaller households, more seasonal residents and fewer children and teenagers;

Aggressive conservation efforts – rebate-related water efficient programs, enhanced conservation, including drought-tolerant water-sensitive landscaping, water reclamation and rainwater harvesting;

Passive conservation in existing homes – conversion of appliances to more water efficient devices, e.g., showerheads, dishwashers, washing machines, and toilets;

Construction of new water and energy efficient houses and businesses.

He noted some other factors unique to Prescott that affect water use. He said despite its population, only about 140 swimming pools were in the entire community. He also said only a few homes had evaporative coolers but instead used air conditioners.

Prescott’s water supply comes from a diverse portfolio. It includes groundwater, surface water and reclaimed water. That puts it in a better position than communities that rely upon a single water source. Additionally, in 1998, Prescott invested in two municipal reservoirs, which now serve as critical sources for the recharge program.

Several years ago, too, the City of Prescott began thinking of what is called “the Big Chino Water Pipeline,” a plan to import water from an aquifer northwest of Paulden. Mayor pro-tem Billie Orr said that Woodard’s presentation caused her to think of the Big Chino as a “…good insurance policy, but not something needed immediately.”

Woodard responded, “Your investment in the Big Chino aquifer was a smart one. I compare it to life insurance. You want it, in hopes that you don’t need it.”

Retired from his former position as a professor and administrator at the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center and the NSF-SAHRA Water Center, Woodard has degrees in chemistry, public policy studies-resource economics, and a J.D. from the University of Michigan. He was involved internationally with UNESCO on water issues for arid lands. He was the co-author of the National Water Act for the Kingdom of Saudi Aribia. In more than 37 years of research about municipal water issues, he has directed and conducted studies around the United States, including water use models he developed for eight major municipal water departments and two water companies in Arizona.

“Gary’s credentials are unassailable,” said Mengarelli. “He has worked all over the world in the field and published dozens of papers. We were excited to hear what he had to say about Prescott’s water supply.”

Mengarelli told Quad Cities Business News, “I think now we can make better decisions with fact-based information rather than fear-based narratives.”

City Manager Michael Lamar echoed Mengarelli. “Information being given to the City Council will change the dialogue about water in Prescott. This information also will have major policy implications for the council going forward.”

Woodard will present the final results of the longitudinal study later this spring in a public meeting.

To view the Prescott City Council meeting, visit facebook.com/prescott-mediacenter/videos/359840414607118/?t=3857. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

The economic impact of local events planned by the City of Prescott continues to grow, bringing new people and more dollars to the community.

The direct impact from spending on sporting events alone last year was over $2.5 million. The indirect economic impact totaled almost $6 million. Compared to five years ago, that’s an increase of more than $1 million in direct spending and $3.5 million in economic impact.

What is more, an expanded event calendar for coming months promises to be “…bigger than ever,” said John Heiney, community outreach manager for the City of Prescott.

Heiney told a crowd of local business and hospitality leaders that increased cooperation and participation from throughout the community is creating an excellent atmosphere for economic growth. The group met at the Hassayampa Inn on March 5 for an update called “Tourism Team Up.”

The combination of city-coordinated special events and sporting events from April through December 2019 adds up to more than 90.

Prescott Parks and Recreation Director Joe Baynes told the group, “The events we’re talking about today do not include those planned down around the Courthouse Square by the county and by Prescott Downtown Partnership. Those bring in hundreds more visitors.”

Baynes asked meeting attendees to spread the word that the annual city-sponsored 4th of July Fireworks Show is being moved to Watson Lake for safety reasons. For the past several years, it had been at the Mile High Mid-School Athletic Field, but drought conditions and fire danger had caused it to be postponed.

Rick Hormann, city recreation supervisor, distributed a list of upcoming sporting events that began March 9 with vintage baseball games, and concludes Oct. 26 with The Prescott Sixer Bike Race. Sporting events range from baseball and softball leagues and tournaments to soccer, pickleball, marathons, bike races, rollerhockey and disc golf.

Hormann noted that tournaments and state championships “…fill our local hotels and restaurants with teams and their families for multi-day experiences.” He said because of the increasing number of events, it is likely the city will be adding more ballparks and four more pickleball courts.

Of pickleball, he said, “Our program here has become so popular that we are thinking of sponsoring a national tournament.”

Michelle Stacey-Schroeder, city recreation coordinator, shared information about more than 60 events in downtown Prescott. Beginning April 6 and running through Dec. 31, activities include arts and crafts fairs, antique shows, music festivals, car shows, wine festivals and several major parades.

“The amount of money that circulates because of all these events throughout the summer and fall is inestimable,” she said. “We know this. Other cities are contacting us, asking for advice about how we deliver so many events. They want to imitate what we do because we have been so successful.”

Linda Nichols, who for several years has been active with the Parks and Recreation Board, applauded city staff members and told the crowd, “I think it is fantastic what the city does with the limited resources they have. They are enriching the lives of all our residents and those who visit Prescott.” QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

For more information, call 928-777-1552 or visit
prescott-az.gov/recreation-events/recreation-services.

Ever-increasing visitation and recognition as a key destination in Central Arizona prompted leadership at Sharlot Hall Museum to accelerate plans for expansion of the education center.

Groundbreaking for the 10,000-square-foot addition to the existing John and Helen Lawless Exhibit Center had more than 75 museum supporters gather Feb. 28 for a spirited ceremony celebrating the success of the popular attraction.

Master of Ceremonies D.J. Fone described the soon-to-be constructed $2.75 million two-story (and a one-story basement) as being a “…further source of historical, literary, civic and educational interest in preserving the heritage of the central highlands of Arizona.”

Fone introduced several local dignitaries who participated in the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony.

Museum Director Fred Veil expressed thanks to those who contributed to the fundraising efforts. He explained that the additional facilities will support the current focus of developing museum exhibits. He noted that more school and group tours, hands-on activities and exhibits would be possible with the new space. Currently, the museum has thousands of objects, but capabilities to show only about 10 percent of them at any one time, said Ken Leja, the museum’s media and marketing manager.

More than 50,000 people visit the museum each year.

Veil then invited city and county dignitaries to join him to ceremoniously break ground.

When completed in about eight months, the Education Center will have an auditorium with theater-style seating for about 135 people. It also can serve as a multipurpose room to accommodate community activities. The second floor will have classrooms and other space equipped with contemporary technology. Prescott-based Kenson Construction is heading the construction.

It has been 90 years since Sharlot Hall Museum opened its doors. Founded in 1928 by Sharlot M. Hall, a writer, pioneer ranch owner, activist and historian, the museum has grown from a small parcel with a log cabin on bare land to a four-acre campus housing 11 exhibit buildings that contain more than 40,000 artifacts.

Upcoming events at the museum include the monthly Second Saturday Living History Adventures, the Folk Arts Fair in the first week of June, the Indian Art Market the second weekend of July, and Sharlot’s Winefest in August.

The museum is located at 415 W. Gurley Street in downtown Prescott. For more information, call 928-445-3122 or visit sharlot.org. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN