Clean water is something that many of us take for granted. We don't realize the steps and the work it takes to get clean water piped straight to our sinks, showers, drinking fountains, and more. Forty-one percent of the water consumed in Arizona comes from groundwater, while another 36% is from the Colorado River. Many communities rely solely on groundwater, while others use a mix of groundwater, surface water, and even reclaimed water. In Northern Arizona, we rely largely on the Colorado Plateau aquifers, which hold water in permeable rocks. These aquifers are replenished by snowmelt and rain that will slowly move down through the rocks and soil, naturally filtering it as it goes. We drill wells into these aquifers and draw water from them.
The Navajo and Hopi reservations sit on dry land in Northern Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. This region is experiencing drought, and will be for many years. Some areas in the reservation can get as little as 5 inches of rain in an entire year. Many people on the Navajo Nation land do not have running water; they have wells that they can draw water from and haul home. The Navajo Nation government works to ensure that all water is safe and sustainable through the Safe Drinking Water Act, Public Water Systems Supervision Program, Primary Drinking Water Regulations, and more. However, there are many unregulated wells that can have harmful contaminants in them that may not be accounted for in these programs. Many people may use these wells because they are more easily accessible. A database was created by University of Arizona environmental scientist Joe Hoover, and it found that unregulated wells near uranium mines were shown to have much higher levels of contaminants, including uranium, copper, and arsenic. There are nearly 500 abandoned uranium mines on Navajo land, most of which have not been sealed off or properly closed. Additionally, abandoned wells that have not been sealed off can get contaminants in them, further polluting the entire aquifer. These pollutants put the indigenous people at risk of serious health issues.
The Hopi Reservation gets only 8-12 inches of rain per year, making water a precious resource in this desert. Much of the Hopi Reservation relies on springs for drinking water, agriculture, and livestock. These springs are refilled from large underground reservoirs, which are naturally filtered and need little treatment. However, runoff can bring pollutants into the water, creating health and safety issues for the people using it. Water that has run off from roads and parking lots contains oils and other substances leaked from cars. Outhouses near these springs would wash waste into these springs, increasing the nitrate concentrations. In 2021, the Hopi Tribe worked to make many of these springs safer through the Hopi Tribe Water Resources Program. They analyzed the safety of the water and where runoff was coming from, then worked to divert water and eliminate those hazards. They did this while maintaining the traditional Hopi masonry style that built the walls and steps around these springs originally. Another challenge that the Hopi Tribe faces with water pollution is arsenic. Before November of 2024, arsenic levels in Hopi water supplies were found to range from 12 to 35 milligrams per liter, far exceeding the federal standard of 10 milligrams per liter. The EPA is now working to ensure that a new water system is put in place, providing safe, uncontaminated water for the roughly 7000 people living on the Hopi Reservation.
Groundwater is a vital resource for many places in the southwest that do not have very much surface water. Climate change is going to continue to cause droughts and wildfires, which will put even more stress on the water supplies of this region. As our planet warms, the injustices that minorities experience will only continue to get worse. Those with less money and resources will be disproportionately impacted by climate change compared to those with money. The Navajo and Hopi people will be affected by rising temperatures, droughts, and wildfires. As droughts cause wildfires, fires burn the trees and plants whose roots hold the soil together. When a monsoon storm happens, that soil has nothing to hold it in place, and all of the ashes and soil come washing downhill into water supplies. This can bring lots of pollutants into the water. It is important to be aware of the environmental situations that we and our neighbors are in. In Northern Arizona, we should be aware that while Flagstaff and other cities have access to consistently safe, clean water, not everyone else does.