We're considering moving to Boise and have heard that Ada county has water shortages. Is this true?

Enough water travels through the Boise Basin every year to support a population level several times our existing size. As agricultural land is converted to housing, the water rights that supported agriculture on that land will provide domestic water for the development.

With that being said, it's important for people to realize we do live in a desert and everybody needs to reduce their water consumption to ensure supplies remain plentiful and the Boise River continues to remain the real Treasure of our Valley.

YoNana,

Technically, you are correct however, it has not been an issue at the homeowner level.  

If you added up all the water rights that people have for our water supply, they would in fact be able to legally withdraw more water than we have but since it is kind of like the health club plan in that not everyone shows up demanding services at the same time, it still works.

Since subdivisions now use water more effectively than the farmers did, we can actually gain via growth on irrigation water!  Think of a farmer flood irrigating his crops or spraying water that evaporates at high noon.  Then think of adding a subdivision over that farm and not having to water the streets, sidewalks, driveways and building areas.  Then, the remaining yard is watered via pressurized irrigation typically set to automatic sprinkler systems when it is cooler outside demanding even less water.  If you are looking for a property with a larger lot, I encourage you to look for communities that offer pressurized irrigation instead of city water since it is also much cheaper!

Don't let this slow you down at all in considering Boise!  It is a fabulous place to live and a safe place too!

If you heard something more specific, feel free to let me know so I can make sure I addressed your specific concern!

Sincerely,
Jim Paulson