Water Security: The Foundation of Arizona’s Success

Arizona’s impressive economic growth and vibrant communities rely on one crucial element: water security. This essential resource allows our desert cities to expand, supports business success, and gives families confidence to call this place home. Water security ensures that our schools, businesses, and homes will always have access to clean, reliable water—maintaining our current quality of life and helping residents and companies invest in our shared future.

The ten AMWUA cities want you to know that the water delivered to your homes and businesses is the result of decades of tough decisions, careful planning, and billions of dollars invested by past and current generations of ratepayers. This investment, especially by the AMWUA municipalities, has paid off. They serve over 3.7 million residents—more than half of Arizona's population—while using only 11% of the state’s water supply. That efficiency is no accident; it’s the direct result of smart investments, effective conservation, and more than 50 years of collaboration.

Water First, Then Development

Arizona established a platinum standard for responsible development in municipalities. All ten AMWUA cities have demonstrated to the state a 100-year assured water supply to meet all the water needs of their communities – from residential to commercial and industrial.  

It's a clear, vital rule: water first, then development. This approach ensures that our growth remains sustainable and protects the investments made by current and future residents and businesses.

The Challenges Are Real

Even with decades of thoughtful planning and investments, Arizona faces new and complex water challenges. 

The state’s share of Colorado River water, a key supply for communities in Central and Southern Arizona, will be reduced after 2026 as new cuts take effect. Although the precise amount of reductions is still unknown, this creates ongoing uncertainty for your water provider to effectively plan for less Colorado River water. 

To compensate for reductions in the Colorado River, most municipal providers will need to recover water stored underground and pump groundwater set aside in their 100-year Assured Water Supply designations. Cities have wisely stored Colorado River and recycled water over the decades as insurance to protect residents during shortages. Yet, this can only be a short-term transition until other water supplies are developed, as increased groundwater pumping isn’t a sustainable solution. Protecting our aquifers for the long term is essential to maintaining our resilience.

Securing Our Water for the Future

Addressing these challenges won’t come from quick fixes. It will require wise decisions, collaboration, and continued investment from both state leaders and stakeholders like municipal water providers. 

Our ultimate solution is to develop and invest in new water supplies. Projects like Advanced Water Purification and the raising of Bartlett Dam will strengthen our long-term water security.

The Bottom Line

Arizona’s water security is what sustains our economy and keeps our communities resilient. Protecting it requires a shared commitment to long-term planning, wise investments, and sound policies.

When it comes to securing our future, there’s nothing more important than water.

For 56 years, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association has worked to protect the ability of its member cities – Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe- to provide assured, safe, and sustainable water supplies to their communities. For more water information, visit www.amwua.org .

Last week, this article was featured on KTAR's website  as part of AMWUA’s new Water Watch partnership.