In a move that underlines Arizona's ongoing struggle to secure water supply in the face of rising demand and dwindling resources, the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) has sanctioned a groundbreaking groundwater transportation agreement. As reported by the Office of the Arizona Governor, for the first time, ADWR approved the transportation of groundwater from the Harquahala Groundwater Basin to the City of Buckeye and Town of Queen Creek, adding a combined total of up to 10,926 acre-feet per year to their water portfolios.
The decision, lauded by stakeholders for its potential to bolster economic vitality, doesn't come without scrutiny. Passed by ADWR's Transportation Order, extensive modeling assured that the pumping will not harm existing water users, though the history of water management in America's Southwest is often punctuated by disputes and ecological concerns. Buckeye and Queen Creek, with authorization to draw substantial volumes of water, are seen by some as setting a precedent in a region where every drop is counted – and counted upon.
According to the Office of the Arizona Governor, this approval follows the Governor's Water Council Recommendations from 2023 and coincides with 2024 legislation that strengthened oversight of water transportation. The Harquahala Groundwater Basin, a "groundwater savings account," has been in the state's sights since 1991, designated for just such an eventuality of growth and need.
"This approval from the Arizona Department of Water Resources unlocks another water supply that Arizona can use to support our communities, economy, and way of life," Governor Katie Hobbs told the Office of the Arizona Governor. And from the land itself, those who have cultivated it sing praises for the new chapter; "This transportation approval benefits farmers, Queen Creek, Buckeye, and other communities that need reliable water to sustain our economy," said Dave Lamoreax, a centennial farmer in the Harquahala Basin, in a statement obtained by the Office of the Arizona Governor.
The bold step does more than just open the taps to new supplies for thirsty cities; it serves a dual purpose of contributing to the State Land Trust, directly benefiting Arizona's public schools. Clark Princell, President & CEO of Valley Partnership, commended the commitment to securing water futures: "We look forward to continuing to support similar thoughtful efforts as we move forward as a region and state to identify responsible and sustainable water solutions," he shared with the Office of the Arizona Governor.
With an eye on the horizon, both Buckeye and Queen Creek anticipate the benefits this arrangement will confer. Ensuring a quality of life that their residents have come to expect remains paramount, but now with a seemingly firmer footing in the shifting sands of Arizona's water resource management.
