Scottsdale

A suburb in Arizona lost its source of water. Residents warn: We're only the beginning

A suburb in Arizona lost its source of water. Residents warn: We're only the beginning

A man in Arizona sees a glimpse of a potentially frightening future. A future where the planet is hotter, the soil is drier, and our most precious resource is evaporating. His job is delivering water. And his job is getting harder. John Hornewer is now having to drive hours farther each day to fill his truck, which, in turn, fills the subterranean tanks at homes in an area outside Phoenix. His normal supplier cut him off; more precisely, on Jan. 1, the city of Scottsdale, Ariz., cut off transfers to the exurban community he serves in a desire to conserve water for its own residents. He found new suppliers, farther away. Then another supplier cut him off.

Arizona town cut off from water using rain to flush toilets

Arizona town cut off from water using rain to flush toilets

Skipped showers and rainwater-powered toilets are among the methods an Arizona town has adopted as it battles to cope without water. Rio Verde Foothills, a suburb of Scottsdale, was cut off from the city's water supply on 1 January. The controversial move left hundreds without access to running water, prompting residents to file a lawsuit demanding that services be restored. Scottsdale argues that it bears no responsibility for Rio Verde.

Hundreds of Valley homes will have their water cut off at years end. So far, their only solution has restrictive caveats

Hundreds of Valley homes will have their water cut off at years end. So far, their only solution has restrictive caveats

Residents of an East Valley rural community have been dealing with an impending water crisis for nearly a year. Last November, the city of Scottsdale sent a letter to residents of Rio Verde Foothills letting them know water hauling services, the main way hundreds of the rural area's homes get water, would be cut off at year's end as a part of Scottsdale's drought contingency plan.