Water

Residents in central Arizona should remain cautious as flooding may occur in the region over the next several days. That’s according to the National Weather Service which provided flood updates on Sunday for Tonto Creek in Gila County and in the Valley along the Salt River between the Granite Reef Dam to Tempe Town Lake.
Mar. 12, 2023
Rio Verde Foothills homeowner Meredith DeAngelis
Restoring the water supply to the unincorporated Rio Verde Foothills community has hit another hurdle. A bill in the Arizona House that was designed to get water flowing again by using a third party provider and Scottsdale infrastructure has failed.
Mar. 10, 2023
Arizona Capitol copper dome statue Phoenix
In January, water policy analysts hoped that the Legislature would take action on Arizona’s shrinking groundwater supplies. But it appears that lawmakers will back burner the issue once more.
Mar. 8, 2023
water tank at a Rio Verde Foothills home
The attention on Rio Verde has led to a lot of discussion about whether the community is a kind of canary in the coal mine — a glimpse of what the future might look like as the drought continues and water supplies dwindle.
Mar. 7, 2023
a Dynamite Water tanker
County supervisors on Friday rejected a city proposal to resume water service at triple the cost.
Mar. 3, 2023
 flooding irrigation
Last year, Arizona lost access to 18% of its portion of Colorado River water. This year the federal government cut another 21%. This has left many farmers with reduced access to water.
Mar. 3, 2023
drop from a water faucet
The Arizona House gave preliminary approval to a bill designed to keep water flowing to unincorporated areas that had been receiving water service from cities.
Mar. 3, 2023
East Verde River
It has been a rainy winter in Arizona, so much so that SRP’s reservoir systems on the Verde River are nearly full.
Mar. 2, 2023
sprinklers
While running for attorney general, Democrat Kris Mayes vowed to undo a state land lease that provides free groundwater to a Saudi Arabian alfalfa grower. Gov. Katie Hobbs now says that’s easier said than done.
Mar. 2, 2023
 flooding irrigation
Arizona and the six other Colorado River Basin states are trying to figure out a plan to conserve more of the river’s dwindling water supplies. Bryan Leonard says there are easier and more cost-effective solutions to deal with the ongoing water crisis.
Feb. 28, 2023
Heavy snow in Snowmass Colorado ski area
Snow totals in the upper Colorado River basin have already reached their average annual peak much earlier than normal. Climate scientists say this is likely to help prop up reservoirs, but won’t be enough to turn around a decades-long megadrought.
More Arizona water news
Feb. 25, 2023
wastewater plant
The COVID-19 pandemic showcased wastewater testing as an early-warning system for tracking viral spread. But the tests can’t tell if the waste comes from locals or visitors. How does that affect results in tourist destinations like Phoenix and Las Vegas?
Feb. 24, 2023
Grand Canyon National Park
This year's Colorado College State of the Rockies poll shows a large number of Arizonans support preserving the state’s land and water.
Feb. 22, 2023
Scottsdale City Hall
The Scottsdale City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved a plan that could have the city once again providing water to the unincorporated community of Rio Verde Foothills.
Feb. 22, 2023
sprinklers
A pair of Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to create groundwater stewardship areas, which would give local communities funding and expertise to help monitor their water supply. But their bills have yet to receive a hearing.
Feb. 21, 2023
Interstate 10
Arizona and other Western states are dealing with the effects of the ongoing drought. But other areas deal with too much water and flooding. What to do about these different but related issues was part of the focus of a recent gathering of the Ten Across Project.
Feb. 20, 2023
Gov. Katie Hobbs in her office in January 2023.
One of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs' biggest tasks is addressing the drought on the Colorado River threatening her state's growth boom. The Democrat is convinced it can avoid a drawn out legal battle.
Feb. 17, 2023
Land subsidence of 9.7 feet near Willcox, Arizona
Arizona has been banking groundwater for decades. And with the state facing cuts to its share of the Colorado River, groundwater has taken on more importance. But experts urge caution when it comes to tapping into this finite resource.
More Arizona abortion news
Feb. 15, 2023
water faucet
Phoenix is considering substantial changes to the way it charges people for water. Compared to five years ago, the city’s Water Services Department says it’s paying 35% more for raw water, 136% more for chemicals and 38% more in personnel costs.
Feb. 15, 2023
Rainstorm in Phoenix
Arizona has had a wetter-than-normal winter so far. In January alone, the National Weather Service says the Phoenix area was three degrees below normal on average, with more than an inch of rain recorded.
Feb. 15, 2023

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