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Arizona's water future
KJZZ News convened an expert panel exploring the current state and future of Arizona's groundwater. Groundwater makes up a significant share of Arizona’s water supply. And it has taken on even greater importance as the state’s allotment of the Colorado River has been reduced. This discussion is part of KJZZ's "Every Last Drop" series, tackling big questions about Arizona's water future.
Arizona water news
Panelists highlight disparities between Arizona's urban, rural groundwater management
Record drought throughout the Southwest has taken a toll on the Colorado River, and put greater emphasis on other water supplies. KJZZ News hosted a panel discussion in Tempe on Arizona’s groundwater situation.
Arizona’s housing market has been booming in recent years. But now, due to projected groundwater shortfalls, the state is going to start limiting some housing development in areas that rely solely on groundwater.
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Three major chemical companies say they’ve reached a tentative settlement with cities suing them for water contamination linked to PFAS, the human-made chemicals linked to health issues like cancer
In a major announcement June 1, Arizona officials halted new housing on the edges of the Phoenix metro area. The issue? Not enough groundwater. The shortage is made more complicated by the shrinking Colorado River.
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling stripped the EPA of the wide-reaching regulatory control offered by the 1972 Clean Water Act. The ruling has been applauded by businesses — including Arizona’s ranching industry, which relies heavily on water management.
This week, Arizona announced it will pause approvals of some development projects in areas that rely on groundwater, ASU revealed plans for new medical school and Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates said he will not seek reelection.
Arizona will pause approvals of some development projects in areas where groundwater would be the only water source. The announcement comes after a new report projects shortfalls in water supply in the Phoenix area.
The Phoenix City Council unanimously approved a plan Wednesday to give up a share of its Colorado River allocation in exchange for money.
Attorney General Kris Mayes filed suit last week against companies that manufacture PFAS, which have been linked to a number of health problems. Now she is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate the so-called forever chemicals.
Last week, Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that would have forced Scottsdale to resume selling water to the unincorporated community of the Rio Verde Foothills. In her veto letter, she told lawmakers to instead send her another bill: HB 2561, sponsored by Republican Rep. Alexander Kolodin.
Before he left office, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey called for aggressive investment in water augmentation projects such as desalination, and the state committed a billion dollars in funding over three years toward that goal. But Arizona’s new budget will scale back those efforts.
