Queen Creek is making strides towards securing its own independent water supply, a significant move given the increasing scarcity of this vital resource in the region. On Wednesday, the Queen Creek Town Council passed Resolution No. 1654-25, reinforcing its dedication to achieving water self-sufficiency. As reported by the official Town of Queen Creek website, this plan has been nearly a decade in the making, and is aimed at diversifying and securing the town’s water future. With their latest water source acquisition from Harquahala Valley, the town's water supply is now 90% protected against drought conditions and potential water cutbacks.
Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley recognized the importance of the town's proactive approach, saying, "As a relatively young community, the Town of Queen Creek has been actively working on a water strategy for years that moves us away from local groundwater pumping." Mayor Wheatley's statement, obtained by Queen Creek's official website, emphasized that these efforts will ultimately culminate in a more stable and economically sustainable water system for the town’s residents. Previous policies that had residents relying on Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD) for their water needs are slowly being phased out.
The Nov. 19 council meeting was a pivotal one, with the approval of three resolutions directly related to the town's water strategy. Among them, the council gave the green light to seek a loan from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority and deliberated on developing a new water resource fee. All these efforts are part of a broader strategy to reduce dependency on groundwater pumping, transition away from CAGRD, and to take control of a water portfolio designed to last a century and withstand drought conditions. The town also plans to become a designated water provider earlier than initially forecasted.
One measure that brings immediate financial relief to residents is Resolution No. 1652-25, aimed to offset CAGRD fees. Though Queen Creek has a substantial groundwater supply, replenishing it has become prohibitively costly. The town has managed to save customers enrolled in CAGRD an estimated $58 million since 2018 by offsetting fees, as stated on Queen Creek's website. However, officials acknowledge that continuing to absorb these fees is unsustainable beyond FY26-27, but this aligns with their goal to forgo individual customer CAGRD fees entirely by becoming a designated water provider.
Interested parties can gain more insights into Queen Creek’s water policies by visiting their official website or watching recorded council meetings. For further information, Communications & Marketing Manager Constance Halonen-Wilson can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 480-358-3195.
