The Problems Associated with Phoenix, Arizona's Population Growth

One of the problems with a huge population increase in Phoenix has been water accessibility. Although the entire state of Arizona receives enough water from the Colorado River alone to suffice nearly three times the states population, the moving of water from the Colorado to Phoenix is highly expensive. Many people in the rural/outer parts of Phoenix receive their water from local streams and groundwater, since it is the cheapest form of water. However, water is now being pumped faster than it is being recharged and has resulted in a major depletion which the city will depend highly on in the future. Water-levels have decreased 300-500 feet throughout much of the city. In addition, the loss of ground water leaves residents without an alternative during droughts and can result in land subsidence and sub par water quality. This lowering has resulted in the loss of streamside vegetation (http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:vv-oqgwVpT4J:west.stanford.edu/exploringthewest/pdf/Groundwaterpumping.pdf+population+growth+problems+in+phoenix&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us) - go here for how to fix this