After visiting the Scottsdale area recently, we were struck by the incredible development and population in an area that has very little water. Irrigated golf courses everywhere? Really? While we’re sure it has been considered a marvel of engineering and mankind’s triumph over nature to be able to support such infrastructure in the middle of the desert, in the terms of this millennium’s trends (ie sustainablilty), it seems quite bizarre. That we are from the wet east coast no doubt plays into this observation.
Nonetheless, the following article points out the challenges of over-development in arid areas and the folly in some water politics. That rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse is illegal in some areas illustrates the crazy misguided politics. Seems to be pretty much the opposite of sustainability at the most basic level.
Lake Mead Is Drying Up | GOOD.
Arid dwellers, do comment to share your perspective.
October 15, 2009 at 9:27 pm |
[...] Arid Stormwater By stormwater This last year when we were in Arizona, we posted thoughts from a purely East Coast perspective. Read it here. [...]