AMWUA Blog
Understanding the difference between a drought and a water shortage
The terms drought and shortage are often used interchangeably when discussing water in the West. While both drought and shortage involve a lack of water, their circumstances, impacts, and challenges differ. Understanding the distinction between a drought and a water shortage is helpful for understanding the complexities of our water resources here in Arizona....
Working together, we are One for WaterTM
AMWUA’s membership consists of ten large municipalities in Maricopa County, Arizona. Collectively, the population of the AMWUA municipalities is 3.7 million people—more than 50 percent of the state’s population.
Conservation & Efficiency
Living in a desert, Arizonans recognize that water is a limited and precious resource. We know we need to conserve and protect the water we have, stretching and preserving it for the future. We have embraced a culture of conservation, and it’s paying off. That ongoing commitment will help us weather the impacts of climate change, extended drought, and shortage.
Drought & Shortage
Extended drought and a shortage on the Colorado River in 2022 are cause for concern, but they are not unexpected. Arizona has been visionary in water management planning and policy. The AMWUA cities have prepared and invested to ensure reliable, sustainable supplies for their communities. Continued innovative water management strategies, investment, and forward-thinking policy will enable us to meet the very real challenges ahead.
Where we stand on the issues
Smart water policy and careful planning, investment, and management have enabled AMWUA’s members to build robust, reliable water supplies that support our communities and economy. It is imperative that we continue to address the issues in front of us to ensure the future viability of those supplies. Learn more about some of the issues we are working on:
AMWUA Blog
Apr 30 2025
Understanding the difference between a drought and a water shortage
The terms drought and shortage are often used interchangeably when discussing water in the West. While both drought and shortage involve a lack of water, their circumstances, impacts, and challenges differ. Understanding the distinction between a drought and a water shortage is helpful for understanding the complexities of our water resources here in Arizona....
Apr 22 2025
Trees enrich our desert communities in many ways
There are numerous ways to enhance a landscape, but one of the most effective methods is by incorporating native trees. Planting a tree not only creates an immediate visual impact with its beauty, color, and texture, but it also offers a range of benefits when planted and maintained properly. Trees provide social, communal, environmental, and economic advantages that positively affect our communit...
Apr 15 2025
The Uncertain Future of the Colorado River
The uncertainty surrounding the Colorado River presents ongoing challenges for all users of this vital resource. The unpredictability of the amount of Colorado River water that AMWUA municipalities can depend on after 2026 remains a significant concern, prompting them to strategize on ways to navigate this uncertainty effectively....
AMWUA (pronounced "am-wa" as in, "I am" and "water") is the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, a non-profit association of ten municipalities in the Phoenix metro area, advocating responsible water stewardship that supports economic prosperity and safeguards Arizona's water supplies for future generations.
"Water is essential for life
It supplies food, generates energy, and creates jobs. The wellbeing of our communities and economies depends on it. In a desert, we are acutely aware that we must continue to plan, invest, and develop forward-thinking policy today to ensure safe, reliable, and sustainable water supplies for the future.
OUR MEMBERS
AMWUA's membership consists of ten large municipalities in Maricopa County, Arizona. Collectively, the population of the AMWUA municipalities is 3.7 million people—more than 50 percent of the state's population.
