By: Donna Rescorla, The Independent
08/06/2010

TAYLOR - The Town of Taylor sits atop the Coconino aquifer, one of the best water sources in Arizona but the town, with the other communities in Navajo and Apache counties stand to lose this valuable resource.

Many areas of the state, including the Phoenix area, Flagstaff and Prescott are already feeling the lack of water for their communities.

Taylor councilors have taken a step to put a claim on some of the water by sending a resolution to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) requesting a "designation of assured water supply."
"The aquifer is in a lot of hard rock," Town Manager Eric Duthie said. "If the water is taken out, it will take 500 to 1,000 years to recharge. (Requesting the designation) has to be done. If someone else says 'we need it,' we had better be ready to fight for it or we won't have it.

"This will move forward as long as you (the council) have an interest in it. The only who cares about Taylor are those who live in Taylor. No one else really cares. We can say, 'if you have a need, contact us and let us help' but we have needs too,"

Dennis Chandler, coordinator of the Little Colorado River Plateau Resource Conservation and Development, echoed Duthie comments, saying, "You should look forward as far as 100 years in the future. If Phoenix wants water and you don't have a plan, they will say they guessed Taylor didn't need the water."

After the remarks, councilors went into executive session to discuss the resolution. When they returned, Councilor Jared Hatch made the motion to approve the resolution asking for the designation of assured water supply. Councilor Jane Lee seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

*Reach the reporter at drescorla@wmicentral.com   To subscribe or visit go to:  http://www.wmicentral.com