Phoenix, AZ – As millions of visitors flock to Arizona’s scenic landscapes this summer, state officials are urging the public to help protect one of the region’s most valuable—and limited—resources: clean water.
According to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), Arizona is home to only a handful of year-round streams statewide, making these water sources especially precious and vulnerable to contamination. The agency’s latest “Arizona Water Keeper” campaign emphasizes the need for everyone—locals and tourists alike—to avoid introducing harmful substances into streams, rivers and creeks.
Officials say that even biodegradable soaps, lotions, and sunscreens can cause significant harm to fish and aquatic life when washed into these fragile waterways. “Arizona’s waters are rare and super precious. Even so-called ‘biodegradable’ soap can harm fish and aquatic life,” ADEQ noted in a recent social media post. They also stress the importance of leaving no trace, reminding the public that food scraps and trash hurt wildlife and degrade water quality.
With millions of annual visitors, small amounts of pollution add up quickly. ADEQ encourages everyone to pack out what they bring in—including trash and food waste—to protect the state’s unique ecosystems and the animals that call them home.
State officials hope that by raising awareness and sharing practical “Arizona Water Keeper” tips, visitors and residents will join efforts to keep Arizona’s limited streams clean and healthy for future generations.
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