Policy innovation for Arizona's water challenges

Arizona is facing an inflection point when it comes to water, says Cynthia Campbell, with both Colorado River and groundwater challenges mounting. Campbell recently joined the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative (AWII) as the director for policy innovation after decades spent as an attorney and practitioner deeply committed to solving the state’s water challenges. 

Campbell’s path to water resource management wasn’t linear. She began her career as an attorney in private practice, but her real passion emerged when she shifted to public service roles that allowed her to engage more directly with policy and strategic decision-making. She subsequently spent time as a government attorney, then as a water quality compliance officer with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and later as Phoenix’s water resource management advisor. 

“I’ve always liked working for the government,” Campbell says. “It’s in the blood, I’m actually a fifth-generation public servant.” 

Campbell says that her years spent as Phoenix’s water resource management advisor “were probably the best work I've ever done.” Her experience navigating complex water issues, particularly during the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) negotiations, stands out as a defining moment. 

“The original plan presented to us was asking Arizona cities and Tribes to give up their water for agriculture,” Campbell recalls. “And from that point in time, the whole thing would've completely collapsed had it not been for the Gila River Indian Community. They came up with a plan to fill in the gaps, but maintain the priority system. That was really important.”

Another accomplishment that Campbell is particularly proud of is her role in the Phoenix-Tucson Water Exchange, a groundbreaking initiative that allowed Phoenix to send its Colorado River water to Tucson for storage, which could be later retrieved during times of shortage. 

“It was absolutely mind-blowing to many people. The concept of transactional behavior in water—moving it efficiently—was something rarely done in Arizona,” Campbell explains.

A turning point

Arizona is now at a critical crossroads, according to Campbell. “The cities of Central Arizona are at a challenge point that we haven’t seen since the 1950s. We’re at a fork in the road,” she says. 

Campbell recalls looking through archival documents from the late 1940’s when Phoenix was at a similar inflection point. “Phoenix was looking at a possibility of being without adequate water supplies within months, but was ultimately able to expand reservoir storage behind Horseshoe Dam. At that point, the major ethos of the city seemed to be ‘never again.’” 

That event, alongside the 1980 Groundwater Management Act and the 1990’s Assured Water Supply program, led cities across Central Arizona to build strong and robust water portfolios that have served them well for many decades. However, those portfolios are now seeing cracks. As climate change intensifies, the available water from the Colorado River diminishes and groundwater reserves are strained.

“We here in Arizona are the bullseye of climate change in the US,” Campbell says, pointing to the rapid and severe effects on the region. In her eyes, the issue is no distant concern. "We thought we had 40 years to plan. In reality, we’ve barely had 20," she reflects. 

Today, Campbell stresses that the future of water security is not guaranteed. “What happens when your portfolio is in jeopardy?” she asks. “We could see losses of 30 to 50 to 100 percent of Colorado River supplies, and that keeps water managers up at night.”

One of the most challenging aspects of water management is the need to balance public perceptions with reality. Water managers have to confront both the short-term concerns and long-term risks. 

"In Arizona, water is one of those issues where perception is almost as important as reality," she adds, acknowledging the complex balance cities must strike in their communications and planning efforts.

The role of water policy innovation

Looking ahead, Campbell is optimistic about her new role at AWII. One of her goals is to build a water transaction platform to facilitate the efficient movement of water within the state. But what does that mean in practice? 

“When I talk about transactions, I’m not talking about buying and selling water per se,” Campbell clarifies. "It’s about getting water where it needs to be. Water is often locked in long-term investments or stored in places where it can’t be accessed when needed. The goal is to create systems that allow water to flow where it’s needed most—whether through infrastructure or other creative solutions–and isn’t totally reliant on personal relationships to create those transactions.”

One specific example Campbell highlights is a deal brokered between Phoenix and the city of Avondale in the West Valley. “One day after a meeting, their water policy advisor told me they had a serious issue one summer some years ago,” Campbell recalls. 

Avondale, which primarily relies on wells, faced a significant challenge despite having a Colorado River allocation—they simply couldn't get the water from the canal due to a lack of infrastructure. As a result, Avondale had to store the water far from the city and rely on credits, but this process still involved groundwater pumping. 

“They were talking about a summer where a mechanical problem in a well almost caused a disruption in service,” Campbell says, emphasizing how close the city came to a serious water crisis. Through collaboration, Phoenix and Avondale were able to work out a solution, ensuring Avondale could secure a reliable water supply for residents and avoid a potential disaster.

At AWII, Campbell envisions a trading platform developed as a public service—“a neutral place where parties can come with their water difficulties and say, ‘Can you pair me up with somebody?’ I see an enormous need for it.” This platform, she hopes, can help small communities struggling to leverage their existing water supply portfolios while securing additional water for their needs.

Bridging academia and practice

As someone who has spent years in the trenches of water resource management, Campbell understands the practical realities water managers face daily. However, she also sees a gap between academic research and on-the-ground implementation. 

“There’s a wall between academia and practitioners. Right now, they’re operating in parallel,” she observes. With her new role, Campbell aims to bridge that divide, ensuring that academic innovations can be applied to real-world challenges that ultimately serve Arizona residents.

Her extensive network within the water policy community and her understanding of the intricacies of water management make her a unique asset in this endeavor. As she looks to the future, Campbell is optimistic that AWII can play a pivotal role in facilitating collaboration and generating innovative solutions for Arizona's water future.

"Water is not just about managing a resource. It's about managing relationships, systems and challenges," she says. 

Campbell’s career and expertise offer a unique perspective on Arizona's water issues. As a new chapter begins at AWII, her focus on collaboration, innovation and pragmatic solutions will be crucial to ensuring water managers and state residents are prepared for our shared water future.