Arizona republican., 1918-06-25
Need of Increased Use of Our Underground Water
 Supply

Need of Increased Use of Our Underground Water
 Supply
 Confronted they are, with steadily de- creasing supply water, the board of srnors of Salt River Valley Water Users assocla ton is now considering ways and means to utilize larger amount of underground water additional supply to the water furnished from the reservoir.
 For a number of years number of pumping plants have been operated by the association but not nearly many of these plants have been put in operation recommended in the report of the survey board issued years since. Fortunately conditions for pumping this underground water more favorable than before, and the fact that in districts the valley the rise of this under ground has threatened the fertility of the so makes of especial advantage at this time that under authority in the articles of incorporation of the Water Users association number additional pumping units should be established without delay he proper authorization the stockholders of the association
 The board of governors is apparently thoroughly aroused to the need of increasing water supply and under direction of Mir w. R. Elliott project manager complete survey has been made showing where the various pumping plants be most de- siraby located amount and quality of water to be pumped cost of pumping and other features which iffect this important economic problem.
 It almost certainty that these 
 The water level will be gradually decreased thus leving the valley of any possible damage from the continued rise of this underground water In fact the whole matter seems to be very happy combina- lion of increasing the water supply much needed, md the same time largely eliminating all danger rom underground water.
 We fortunate in having demonstration here n the valley of the value development through the exclusive of underground water One of the ,dest demonstrations is at the Sacaton Indian Farm where for fifteen years pumped water has been 1sod in certain locations exclusively with the con- tnued production of splendid crops. The develop ment of the Chandler district through pumped water Is well known, while the pumping plant of the Tempe Canal company and the Bartlett Heard Land & Cat tic company, where the water pumped is used auxiliary supply, have proven thoroughly and prac- ticaly successful.
 A recent and most convincing demonstration of the success in farming with pumped water is the marEable development made in this county during the past eighteen months by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber company in it's cotton growing operations
 Mir. Elliott has already accomplished large amount of preliminary field work and it is understood the general plan for developing more water in which the question of lowering the level of the under ground water will be auxiliary question: that he will associate with him several engineers of large perience both in water development and drainage who will present, with the slightest possible delay, pete constructive plan by which these two problems be practically worked together
 We believe such plan built up along constructive and practical lines will have not only the support of the vast majority of the the valley but the citizens of Phoenix and the city, commission as in this problem the Water Users association repre- senng all of the organized farming interests of the valley should have the thoroughgong cooperation of the city of Phoenix through its commission evidenced at the proper time by reasonable financial support.
 Very fortunately the board of governors is tack ling these big problems in time and will not have to through the sad experiences of other communities which waited too long supplement their gravity rom underground and thereby have had to tace the tremendous expense of draining land which has become water logged All it needs in this com munity is action under the very best engineering advice
 In working out plan for the and distribution of this underground water common and justice will have to be used and it is very essential that it should be provided a part such a plan, that no receiving gravity water from the river should be asked to receive than proportion of underground water, and in no case a proportion which could in any way injuriously affect the land irrigated.
 There is every indication that the board of gov ernors and the project manager are taking up this whole question in thoroughgoing manner. and if they keep up their work and follow out the old adage that stitch in time nine" ought early next year not only to increase from underground source of our water supply but steady decrease in the level of the underground water and as such pro- yressive and constructive plan develops the farmers will become. in our judgment united behind such a water conserving and land-saving pocy-a policy which developed consistently and thoroughly should r7ar~ and more prosperity for the Salt River Valley.