Arizona has been in a state of drought for over 20 years, surpassing the worst drought in more than 110 years of record keeping. Multiple dry winters with limited precipitation, combined with hot and dry summers, have intensified drought conditions across the State.  

While these conditions are concerning, they are not unexpected because limited precipitation and extended drought cycles regularly occur when you live in the desert. Still, this current drought and its impact on the Colorado River have been historic, and with an anticipated hotter and drier future, these conditions will worsen. 

AMWUA's members have planned, built, and managed their communities and their water supplies with that in mind, ensuring adequate water to meet the needs of their residents and businesses through the past two decades and even as the drought continues. 

• Diverse water supplies
  The water we utilize here in the Valley is not just from the Colorado River, which represents only a portion of your city's water portfolio. The AMWUA cities also use water from the Salt and Verde Rivers, reclaimed water, and a small percentage of groundwater. By investing in and protecting their rights to these multiple water supplies, the cities are better prepared for the long-term and any short-term challenges that may arise. As we plan for a drier future, the AMWUA cities will continue wise water stewardship by investing, protecting, and enhancing our water supplies, ensuring viability into the future. Having more than one water source allows for a more robust economy for the Valley and a more sustainable way of life for all of us here in the desert.
   
• Infrastructure
  Our water supply systems are built to manage extended periods of limited precipitation. Reservoirs on both the Colorado River and the Salt and Verde Rivers capture vast amounts of water during wet periods for times when there is less precipitation. To ensure safe and clean water reaches households, industries, and businesses in this Valley, cities must have the infrastructure to treat and deliver water daily. Of all infrastructure types, water systems are the most fundamental to life. That is why infrastructure is a continual priority for the AMWUA cities and all water providers. This includes making the financial commitment to invest in the maintenance, replacement, and expansion of their water infrastructure. The collective infrastructure of the AMWUA cities consists of 30 water treatment plants, over 18,000 miles of water lines, 142,000 fire hydrants, and more than one million water meters. All of which highlights the extent of the infrastructure needed to deliver water every single day.
   
• Recycling
  This is a renewable water source, most often called recycled water or treated wastewater. All AMWUA cities have been maximizing the use of reclaimed water for decades by putting the vast majority to beneficial use. It is used for energy production, creating riparian habitats, irrigating sports fields, golf courses, non-edible crops, and commercial landscapes. The cities also use recycled water for recharging aquifers by storing water underground, so it is available for use when needed. The cities also champion new technology that would allow for direct potable reuse in the future.
   
• Underground storage
  Over the past two decades or so, the AMWUA cities have collectively invested hundreds of millions of dollars in storing over 2.5 million acre-feet of water underground. That's enough water to meet the ten AMWUA municipalities' needs for more than two years. However, it's important to note that it would never be used up that quickly because of our water supplies' diversity. Having more than one water source means the AMWUA municipalities have greater flexibility in managing their water systems and delivering water to you. In turn, this means a more robust economy for the Valley and a more sustainable way of life for all of us.
   
• Conservation and efficiency
  Water conservation and efficiency are part of our cities' long-term management strategies, while Arizona residents have embraced it into their lifestyle. Although conservation by itself will not resolve water challenges, having it rooted in our daily actions does enable us to better weather drought and shortage. This behavior will be critical to our resiliency, just as it always has. The AMWUA cities collectively implement more than 300 best management practices and have implemented ordinances designed to reduce water use and increase water efficiency indoors and outdoors for residential and non-residential sectors. In addition to meeting Statewide mandates, all AMWUA cities regulate low-water-use landscaping, limit turf (grass), prohibit water waste, and have plumbing code requirements. These regulations have helped cities advance water conservation. The AMWUA cities have also built tailored water conservation programs that best assist their residents and businesses use water efficiently
   
• Planning
  In addition to meeting the State's 100-year water supply requirements, AMWUA members invest in ongoing long-range planning, including extensive research to understand future water demand trends, growth patterns, supply availability, impacts of drought and climate change, and potential regulatory impacts. 
   
• Drought plans
  Each city has a unique drought and shortage preparedness plan to address and manage various scenarios. The State has required Drought Preparedness Plans for well over a decade. These plans are uniquely written to ensure each city is best prepared based on its specific water resources, infrastructure, and customer needs. This level of planning ensures cities can effectively manage their water supplies despite any short-term or long-term challenges that may arise. A Colorado River shortage is just one of many scenarios the cities have planned for.

As our history has proven, today's actions can avert tomorrow's crisis.  We must continue to take proactive measures to prevent potential impacts of sustained drought, increasing temperatures, and potential shortages in surface water supplies.