Water Slides May Rise In The Desert

24 November 2007 - 5:00am

In the arid and frequently drought-stricken southwestern city of Phoenix, plans are moving forward to build a 125 acre water park.

"Temperatures in the city rose above 43C (110F) for a record 30 days this year and water levels in the rivers that supply its 1.5 million people with drinking water are at near-record lows."

"A perfect spot then to build what is described as a 'year-round watersports paradise', in which visitors will be able to revel in whatever watery pastime takes their fancy."

"The businessmen behind Waveyard say they plan to recreate the seascape of Indonesia or Hawaii in an area that has just eight inches of rainfall a year. They have earmarked a site about 15 miles outside Phoenix on 125 acres of land that normally supports nothing but saguaro cacti and creosote bushes and that is 200 miles from the nearest beach."

"To relocate nature's environment into the city will require an initial 189m litres of water to fill the facilities, and then up to 380m litres a year to replenish them allowing for spillage and evaporation. The developers think the cost in water will be more than compensated for by the attraction of what they call the "lost coast", which will provide the ultimate day at the beach."

Source: The Guardian, November 21, 2007
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