Kathy Ritchie likes to talk about things that make most people uncomfortable — like menopause.
Arizona's water future
KJZZ News convened an expert panel exploring the current state and future of Arizona's groundwater. Groundwater makes up a significant share of Arizona’s water supply. And it has taken on even greater importance as the state’s allotment of the Colorado River has been reduced. This discussion is part of KJZZ's "Every Last Drop" series, tackling big questions about Arizona's water future.
Arizona water news

Panelists highlight disparities between Arizona's urban, rural groundwater management
Record drought throughout the Southwest has taken a toll on the Colorado River, and put greater emphasis on other water supplies. KJZZ News hosted a panel discussion in Tempe on Arizona’s groundwater situation.
Governor Katie Hobbs says the state is terminating a lease for a Saudi-owned company that’s been farming alfalfa in Arizona. The company has been criticized for growing a water-intensive crop for export amid the Southwest’s historic drought.
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Gilbert already has rebate programs for residential customers who replace grass with drought-tolerant landscaping. But now, the town is partnering with the Salt River Project to expand its turf removal rebates to HOAs and commercial water users.
Policy experts say that about 74% of the state’s water goes to agriculture. Now, researchers at the University of Arizona are working with farmers to find new ways, and new crops, that might help conserve.
→ More Arizona water news
→ More Arizona water news
Nearly a third of the Navajo Nation still lives without running water, but that doesn’t stop travelers from veering off the grid to find a place without a faucet, flushing toilet or shower to spend the night.
→ More tribal natural resoures stories
→ More tribal natural resoures stories
The Show spoke with Luke Runyon, co-director of the Water Desk at the University of Colorado's Center for Environmental Journalism, about the Colorado River and water in the West.
UNESCO, the UN body responsible for world heritage sites, is asking for more protection of the nature reserve just across the Arizona border in Mexico.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking for public input on a proposed rule that would protect a tiny, endangered snail species found only in southern Arizona’s Quitobaquito Springs.
State Sen. Priya Sundareshan is seeking a grant to fix leaking water infrastructure for a rural community near Tucson.
When Google announced plans to build a data center in Mesa, it said it will use air instead of water to cool the facility. The tech giant will take additional steps toward water conservation.
The city of Flagstaff will start work later this month on a nearly $1 million creek restoration project that will repair a waterway damaged during last year’s Pipeline Fire.