The Show spoke with Paula Randolph, associate director of the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy at the Lincoln Institute, about issues around pausing certificates for new development in Arizona amid an affordable housing crisis.

About three-fourths of Arizona’s water supply goes to agriculture, and policy makers say the state needs to address that fact as it confronts a shrinking Colorado River. That's why a University of Arizona program is helping farmers use water more efficiently.

Construction began this week on a new 10.5-mile water pipeline in Mesa. It’s part of an agreement between the city and the Gila River Indian Community that allows reclaimed water to be exchanged for Colorado River rights.

Less than a year ago, voters in Douglas approved a ballot initiative to create stricter groundwater regulations through what’s called an Active Management Area. At least for now, it will remain in place after county officials threw out a separate initiative to eliminate the AMA.

The Rio Verde Foothills Standpipe District was created by an emergency state law to represent the unincorporated community’s water interests. Members said they planned to speak with utility Epcor to find a long-term water solution.

More funding is on the way for cleaning up PFAS. That’s the group of human-made chemicals used in a wide range of products that’s now being found in drinking water. PFAS have been found in air, soil and water around the world.

It took more than five years to negotiate the $24 million agreement, and the town is continuing to work to secure additional water supplies.

The teams have received $4 million to research the decentralization and automation of potable water reutilization.

An Interior Department official who has played a major role in Southwest water negotiations is stepping down from her position early next week.