The Verde River is one of the last free-flowing rivers in Arizona, winding through what’s known as the Verde Valley before feeding into the Salt River. Agriculturally, the valley is relatively fertile, supporting crops like sweet corn, alfalfa, peaches, and pecans, as well as a small wine industry. Recently, though, residents have found that the water below their feet is drying up.
Faith Kearns grew up in the area, and her mother still lives in her childhood home. This summer when they tried to turn on the garden hose, which is connected to their groundwater well — a common source for household water in the region — nothing came out.
“We’ve had some challenges here and there, but it’s definitely gotten worse over the last few years,” Kearns, who is the director of research communications for the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative at Arizona State University, told Grist.
Arizona is far from the only place where groundwater is in big trouble. According to a study released last week in the peer-reviewed academic journal... Read more
