A report grading Arizona’s infrastructure gave poor marks to the state’s water systems.
An annual “report card” from the American Society of Civil Engineers looked at the state’s dams, wastewater systems, drinking water systems, stormwater systems and levees. None of those categories scored higher than a “C” grade. The report says anything with that grade is “mediocre” and “requires attention.”
However, every single one of those categories received a grade higher than the national average.
While the low marks might seem alarming, the report’s authors said they are more than meets the eye. For example, Arizona’s dams received a “C-” grade, but relatively few dams have structural problems, and they are often small and remote. The big, visible dams that hold back easily-recognizable reservoirs near populated areas are generally in good shape.
Frederick Tack, president of the Arizona Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers and chair of the infrastructure report card, said larger cities with more money are generally in good shape, but smaller, more rural cities bring down the statewide average.
“There are cities and utilities that are making amazing improvements and advancements in the industry to be ready for the future,” Tack said. “Tucson, Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Tempe, Scottsdale — they're all in the mix of doing that. But no matter how much money they pour into it, that doesn't help those in rural areas.”
Arizona scored higher than many other states because many of them — especially in the East and South — have older infrastructure that needs more urgent replacement.
Arizona’s water supply is in the grips of drought and climate change, and policymakers around the state have spent big on new infrastructure projects to help adapt to a drier future. Massive, expensive water systems have already been built and more are underway. City and state leaders say they will be key to helping residents weather dry conditions.
Tack said much more investment in water infrastructure is needed because the state’s population and economy are expected to keep growing. With hotter, drier conditions demanding more careful management of water and higher energy output, big spending on infrastructure will be needed to meet those rising population numbers.
He said both urban and rural areas are facing an “infrastructure gap,” where the cost of infrastructure maintenance is outgrowing the amount of spending on infrastructure maintenance.
“We cannot afford to keep building infrastructure future generations cannot afford,” Tack said. “The decisions we make have a really big impact in the future”
When it comes to drinking water, the report said its “C-” grade was due to both quantity and quality issues. Continued population growth means that “foundational challenges” to the state’s water supply will remain, even as Arizona carefully manages its limited water supplies. New federal standards for PFAS in water, the report writes, mean that more than $12 billion will be needed for new drinking water infrastructure over the next 20 years, not including tribal systems.
PFAS are a group of widely-used, human-made chemicals linked to health issues like cancer and thyroid disease. You can read more of KJZZ’s coverage about the legacy of PFAS contamination in southern Arizona here.
Tack said new strategies and adequate funding for infrastructure upgrades will be important for Arizona’s residents and economy going forward.
“The Arizona we are becoming — with more heat, more drought, more wildfire, more intense storms, this all affects water resources, water quality and the infrastructure as well,” he said. “So it's not just an infrastructure issue related to water and water supply, it's an economic issue.
See where Arizona rates in all 11 categories
