Diverse water sources provide resilience today, but ongoing investment is crucial for the future

Arizona's success in the desert isn't just luck—it's the result of decades of proactive planning and strategic investments in water security. While headlines focus on drought, the Colorado River shortage, and groundwater challenges, it's essential to understand the two-pronged strategy vital for having water security here in the desert: continual planning, and investment in water resources and infrastructure.  

Our Foundation—The Strength of a Diverse Water Portfolio

The ten AMWUA cities have invested billions in their water sources and infrastructure. This proactive strategy enables them to utilize more than one source, underpinning the resilience of our desert communities. Having more than one supply means we must be extra wise in managing and using our water, even though it allows us to address challenges such as reductions in the Colorado River while developing new supplies. While each city’s water portfolio is unique, the AMWUA cities currently utilize water from the following sources, but they are not without their own unique challenges:

Colorado River Water

• Arizona’s Lifeline: Provides water to 80% of the state's population in central and southern Arizona via the 336-mile Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal.
• Under Pressure: The federal guidelines for operating the River expire in 2026. Confronting historic droughts and hydrologic challenges, the seven Basin States and the federal government have been unable to agree on how the River will be managed going forward. While the amount of reduction is unknown, CAP will certainly deliver less Colorado River to the AMWUA cities in 2027.

Salt and Verde River Water

• Local Supply: Managed by the Salt River Project (SRP) , water from the Salt and Verde Rivers is delivered to the Valley through a system of eight dams and seven reservoirs, and 131 miles of canals.
• Problem and Opportunity: With sediment accumulating behind Horseshoe Dam on the Verde River, SRP is analyzing how to ensure this vital water source remains available to the AMWUA cities, including raising the downstream Bartlett Dam. To find a long-term solution, SRP is working to protect and increase the storage capacity of the Verde River reservoir system over the next decade. 

Recycled Water

• Expanding Reuse: Investing in advanced purified water treatment technology to create a highly efficient, drought-resistant local water source - the next logical step in sustainable water management.
• Maximizing Every Drop: AMWUA cities are already using reclaimed water for landscaping, agricultural irrigation, aquifer recharge, and industrial cooling (e.g., the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant). 

Groundwater

• The Backup: Water stored underground, protected by the 1980 Groundwater Management Act (GMA), remains the primary backup for AMWUA cities when other supplies are cut during extended droughts and water shortages.
• Preservation is key: While most municipal providers will offset Colorado River reductions in the short-term with groundwater , they know this supply is limited and must be carefully managed. 

The Commitment—Investing in New Supplies for Future Resilience

Despite our current resilience, the reality is clear: with a shrinking Colorado River and limited groundwater, Arizona needs new water. Securing our future requires augmentation —the creation of more renewable water supplies. This isn't a "one-and-done" task; it is a long-term commitment that demands significant investment:

• Stretching Current Supplies: AMWUA cities are actively raising the Bartlett Dam on the Verde River and expanding Advanced Water Purification technology.
• Long-Term Solutions: The Water Infrastructure Financing Authority of Arizona (WIFA) is evaluating seven large projects to import water, including potential desalination plants in Mexico or California.
• The Cost of Water Security: A single ocean-desalination plant could cost over $3 billion. With WIFA currently holding less than $1 billion in dedicated funds, Arizona must face a tough truth: investing now is the only way to ensure our future viability.

Why This Matters

Ultimately, this commitment to continuous planning, portfolio diversification, and significant investment in new supplies and infrastructure is about protecting the quality of life we all value. Reliable water means our families can grow, our businesses can thrive, and Arizona remains a sustainable place to live, work, and build futures.

The AMWUA municipalities are committed to this strategic approach: investing in infrastructure, safeguarding current supplies, and actively expanding new water sources to secure the long-term economic strength and sustainable way of life in our arid environment.

For 56 years, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association has worked to protect our member cities’ ability to provide assured, safe, and sustainable water supplies to their communities. For more water information, visit www.amwua.org .