Arizona’s population has grown steadily over the years, however through significant investments in water conservation and infrastructure and the reuse of water, our water use is essentially the same as it was more than half a century ago.
Arizona’s population has grown steadily over the years, however through significant investments in water conservation and infrastructure and the reuse of water, our water use is essentially the same as it was more than half a century ago.
To take a closer look at this pattern, replacing agricultural lands with municipal development almost always results in a net decrease in water use. It takes approximately 6 acre-feet per acre to grow cotton or alfalfa in our desert climate, and only around 1 acre-foot per acre to serve a subdivision, though these numbers can vary depending on climate, the crop grown, and the density of the urban development. In addition, almost all of the water that enters urban wastewater treatment systems can be reclaimed and reused.
Future sources of water include: desalinated, brackish groundwater; desalinated ocean water (noting that currently desalination of ocean water may be part of Arizona’s water supply in the future, but it is very expensive and energy-intensive); direct potable reuse of reclaimed water; transfers of Colorado River water from agricultural to urban uses; limited inter-basin transfers of groundwater.
In the Greater Phoenix area, we have access to several sustainable sources of supply. We have surface water from the Colorado River and our local Salt and Verde River Watershed, we have groundwater, and we have recycled and reused water.
Tools
Grassland Productivity Forecast
Every spring, ranchers face the same difficult challenge—trying to guess how much grass will be available for livestock to graze during the upcoming summer. This new grassland forecast is the result of a collaboration…
National Drought Monitor: Arizona
The U.S. Drought Monitor depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country and is updated weekly. The map is jointly produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S.…
Arizona Water Chatbot
Arizona Water Chatbot is your Grand Canyon State water pal. Learn about drought, water conservation, and creative ways to protect our desert oasis's vital resource. Together, we can improve Arizona's water future!…
AMA Data Maps
The Arizona Department of Water Resources Active Management Area (AMA) data maps include the Annual Supply and Demand Dashboard and Agricultural Program water usage.
Waterway Map
This US Environmental Protection Agency tool allows users to enter their address and learn more about their community's waterway, such as swimming access, fishing safety, aquatic life, and drinking water.
Fact sheets
Annual Water Supply and Demand Estimates
Arizona Department of Water Resources supply and demand assessments of each groundwater basin in the state to improve understanding of the current and future water conditions throughout the state. …
Untangling Housing Affordability & Groundwater Regulation
To ensure long-term water supplies for current residents, the state has imposed limitations on some new housing subdivisions and other types of development. While the new limitations may increase the costs of new homes in…
New federal PFAS rule
An explainer from the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative on the new federal regulation for PFAS in drinking water due to prevalence in surface or ground waters.
Arizona Water Factsheets
These county-level factsheets from the University of Arizona's Water Resources Research Center are designed to answer common questions about water resources, tailored to every county in Arizona so as to foster…
Research and policy briefs
Arizona Tap Water Affordability Report
This report from the Kyl Center for Water Policy and Arizona Water Innovation Initiative assesses the affordability of tap water rates of over 600 water providers – including publicly-owned systems, Tribal systems and…
Arizona monthly climate reports
At the end of each month, the weather for that month is summarized in a publication from the Arizona State Climatologist office at ASU. It includes a narrative of the weather events across the state, graphs and maps…
Lessons from the Past
In 1995, the Arizona Legislature amended the state’s adjudication statutes and other statutes that underlie surface water rights in Arizona. What changes to Arizona’s adjudication and surface water statutes will survive…
Groundwater Protection in the Valley of the Sun
Sustainable water management is essential in the Valley of the Sun, underpinning public health, economic vitality and quality of life in our desert cities. Underneath the Valley sits an enormous aquifer containing enough…
The Elusive Concept of an Assured Water Supply
For nearly 40 years in its most urban areas, Arizona has prohibited the sale of subdivision lots that lack a 100- year assured water supply. But in 1993, the Legislature changed course and created a new path to show an…
Impacts of Colorado River Shortage to Tap Water Deliveries in Central Arizona
This primer from the Kyl Center for Water Policy provides information regarding Colorado River shortage impacts to the provision of tap water.
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Videos and webinars
What About Water? podcast
"What About Water? with Jay Famiglietti" connects water science with the stories that bring about solutions, adaptation, and action for the world's water realities. Presented by Arizona State University and the University…
Water Talk podcast
Water Talk brings together communities to explore water issues, including climate change, scarcity, and access. Hosted by Faith Kearns, Mallika Nocco, and Samuel Sandoval.
Arizona Water Blueprint webinar
Susan Craig and Sarah Porter from Arizona State University discuss water issues in Arizona and the Arizona Blueprint, which allows users to visualize water information across the state.
Where does my water come from?
We talked with ASU expert Sarah Porter to get a better understanding of the various sources of water Arizonans draw from and how that water makes it to your home.
ASU FLOW 2024
ASU Flow 2024 was held in October at the SRP PERA Club in Tempe. This is the second time the Arizona Hydrological Society and ASU’s Center for Hydrologic Innovations, a pillar of the Arizona Water Innovation…
Future sources of water include: desalinated, brackish groundwater; desalinated ocean water (noting that currently desalination of ocean water may be part of Arizona’s water supply in the future, but it is very expensive and energy-intensive); direct potable reuse of reclaimed water; transfers of Colorado River water from agricultural to urban uses; limited inter-basin transfers of groundwater.
In the Greater Phoenix area, we have access to several sustainable sources of supply. We have surface water from the Colorado River and our local Salt and Verde River Watershed, we have groundwater, and we have recycled and reused water.
Based on 2019 data, 72% of the water used in Arizona is for agriculture, while 22% is used for cities (municipal use) and 6% is used for industries. This is in line with how water is used in much of the world. Learn more.
Arizona has four main sources of water: Colorado River water, in-state surface water (like the Salt River & Verde River managed by SRP), groundwater (water pumped from aquifers) and reclaimed water. Learn more.
Drought is a prolonged period of below-average precipitation severe enough to negatively impact the environment and human activities. Drought is a natural occurrence and Arizona is especially sensitive to drought, since water is scarce here even during average years. Population growth continues to increase demand for water. Drought can impact domestic water supplies, ranching and farming production, vegetation, forest health and wildlife populations.
ASU Flow 2024 was held in October at the SRP PERA Club in Tempe. This is the second time the Arizona Hydrological Society and ASU’s Center for Hydrologic Innovations, a pillar of the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative, have partnered to bring the water community together to celebrate the start of the water year.
Several reservoir and water management decisional documents and agreements that govern the operation of Colorado River facilities and management of the Colorado River are scheduled to expire at the end of 2026.
Central Arizona municipal water providers will continue to adapt to ensure sufficient and resilient water supplies. Past successes include significant reductions in the use of water per capita through conservation, the extensive use of reclaimed water, the development of diverse water portfolios that include Colorado River water and local Salt and Verde River watersheds, the banking of Colorado River and reclaimed water underground in local aquifers and collaborative regional planning that includes leases and exchanges of both water and infrastructure.
Surface water is water found on the surface of the earth. Arizona gets its surface water primarily from the Colorado River and the local Salt and Verde River watersheds, though there are surface waters found in rivers, creeks, and lakes throughout the state.