Tapped

4.6 (23)
NEWS COMMENTARY
UPDATED WEEKLY

This is Tapped, a podcast that explores the issues of water in the Southwest, from how we get it, to what it means for those who have it... or those who don't.

10/09/2024

Broken Promises, Contaminated Waters: Uranium mining on the Navajo Nation

An investigation reveals the deadly health toll of uranium mining on Navajo land, where contaminated water and broken promises have left generations fighting for survival.

31 min
10/02/2024

Uranium Mining in the Grand Canyon Region: Tribal sovereignty vs. nuclear energy in the climate crisis

The costs of uranium mining and nuclear energy on Arizona's tribal nations are often hidden from the broader public. These communities are facing serious threats as their land and water resources become potential casualties in the pursuit of energy. We dive deep into the environmental, cultural, and historical impacts tied to the region's most precious resource—water. Through expert interviews and firsthand accounts, we uncover how this issue challenges the survival of ecosystems, sacred sites, and the health of Indigenous communities, raising urgent questions about the future of water in the Southwest.

26 min
09/26/2024

Nogales: Reviving arroyos and cultivating water resiliency

Scarcity, pollution, flooding, and unchecked urbanization have created water issues in Nogales, Sonora. The city and researchers on both sides of the border are working on innovative ways to remedy.

24 min
09/20/2024

“This aquifer is our Colorado River”: Rural residents struggle when corporate farms drill deep for water

From Governor Katie Hobbs to Attorney General Kris Mayes, Arizona officials grapple with saving rural water supplies.

25 min
09/16/2024

Never closer and never farther away: The fight over updating Arizona's rural groundwater law

Arizona has no regulations on pumping groundwater in rural areas. The state's governor is trying to modernize its water laws, and the fight over rural groundwater is in the middle of it. So how did the re-introduction of a water policy council that aimed to solve the problem lead to a pair of bills and division amongst its original members?

24 min
09/04/2024

Hedge funds and foreign farms get water, rural Arizonans get empty wells

Saudi involvement in western Arizona's rural La Paz County is already well known. But they are not the only non-local interest in the area making use of water. Hedge funds, foreign countries, and green energy interests want to turn rural groundwater into dollars, and they have a lot of ideas how to do it.

22 min
08/28/2024

From Date Palms to Alfalfa: How Arizona became fertile ground for Saudi farms

The history of Arizona's relationship with Saudi Arabia and the Arabian peninsula starts with a pre-Civil-War military program involving camels run by Jefferson Davis. It went on to involve the state's first college professor, an attempt to launch a new cash crop that became a common tree in the state, and much more. All of that lead to the most recent chapter, when monarchs began seeing Arizona as a place to grow thirsty crops like alfalfa as they exploited weak water laws in the state's rural places.

25 min
08/14/2024

Two Rivers, One Lifeline: Reclaiming the Santa Cruz across borders

US-Mexico collaboration has improved the once polluted and depleted Santa Cruz River. Challenges like flooding and wastewater management persist, requiring new infrastructure and funding. Despite progress, managing water across borders remains ongoing.

20 min

See All (34)

4.6

out of 5

23 Ratings

Outstanding!

08/23/2022

Saguaro520

Provides detail on an important topic. Great reporting.
Lots more to cover

09/04/2022

techtonix

Nicely produced show, great interviews. Some big current issues missing; 1) water energy nexus - use of water by thermo-electric power plants, global warming emissions causing drought. Feedback loop 2) AMA up for ballot as prop 420 and 422 in Willcox and Douglas basins. ADWR dissalowing discussion of hydrology at their meeting, no meetings for Douglas residents who are predominantly Hispanic and pro water conservation 3) Riverview dairy attempted to create a water district to benefit their interested, got shut down by locals for conflict of interest concerns. 4) farm bureau against the AMA, putting out misinformation campaign, calling petitioners fraudulent, judge dismisses their case due to lack of evidence 5) Gila Indian reservation to build the first solar panel covered canal in the US to prevent evaporation and offset CO2 emissions 6) fights between California Arizona and Nevada over Colorado river
Highly relevant and interesting

08/18/2022

kehowe

It’s great to see AZPM addressing this important topic. The episodes are well researched and well presented.

This is Tapped, a podcast that explores the issues of water in the Southwest, from how we get it, to what it means for those who have it... or those who don't.