to be fair; Phoenix has (had) quite a bit of its own water via the Salt River. And there was also quite a lot of ground water (which is nearing depletion now).

to be fair; Phoenix has (had) quite a bit of its own water via the Salt River. And there was also quite a lot of ground water (which is nearing depletion now). The controversial bit is that Phoenix also ties in to the Colorado River system, via canals, and THAT is consuming far more water than can be sustained. Most of it for growing crops (not sustaining the massive population) - and I think that if the current drought situation continues, they're going to have to stop growing cotton and lettuce out here. Which . . . is fine.