Underneath Chino Valley in northwest Arizona is a groundwater supply. Now, a new contract will help map where the water could go for future use and growth.
The Big Chino sub-basin covers almost 2,000 square miles and feeds the Verde River.
The Prescott City Council approved a $1.1 million contract this week for a model that takes a magnifying glass to the inner workings of the groundwater supply.
Prescott, Prescott Valley and Salt River Project will use the model to determine how best to import the groundwater for future municipal use.
Prescott water resource manager Leslie Graser said the study brings the city closer to managing and using more groundwater.
“We need to do a more focused model on the Big-Chino basin itself to help address these questions of water rights and use and effects of pumping, things of that nature,” she said.
Graser said this is one more step to transporting more water into municipal areas, but only after the research is done to see how it would affect the surrounding environment.
“It really needs to be distinct that there’s been a shift, it’s not an engineering project right now, pipes and such, it’s now a scientific project,” Gaser said.
The 3-year project could ultimately lead to a plan for supplying more water for development growth in northwest Arizona.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been modified to clarify that the Big Chino sub-basin feeds the Verde River.
