CITY OF CASA GRANDE | STRONGER UNITED
510 E. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande, Arizona 85122
www.CasaGrandeAZ.gov
Contact:
Heather C. Kennedy
Public Information Office
(520) 421-8600 ext. 2530
PIO@CasaGrandeAZ.gov
October 21, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEW WAY TO PROVIDE WATER SECURITY TO NEW HOMES IN ARIZONA.
The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) is creating a new method for securing a 100-year assured water supply for new subdivisions. To build a new subdivision in Arizona, and even sell a single home in that subdivision, a landowner or water provider must demonstrate that water can be provided to those homes for 100 years. Originally passed in the early 1980s, Arizona’s Assured Water Supply Program, considered landmark legislation, has been replicated by other states to provide water security to homeowners.
In recent years, complex groundwater models, prepared by the State, show that there may not be enough groundwater to meet all water demands for 100 years. Because of this, ADWR developed the Alternative Assured Water Supply Designation (ADAWS). This program is designed to reduce existing groundwater demands by requiring that new subdivisions rely on non-groundwater resources, also called renewable water supplies, and by replacing existing groundwater demands that may not be met during the next 100 years with additional renewable water supplies.
City of Casa Grande, Mayor Craig McFarland explains, “The assured water supply rules are very important in creating and maintaining a sustainable economy in Pinal County. The new rules directly address the projected shortfall in groundwater. If adopted, we will once again be able to approve new workforce housing, hopefully in time to prevent the further escalation of housing costs.” McFarland further describes the importance of effluent in providing water security to all residents of Casa Grande. “The city is prepared to use its effluent to recharge the aquifer beneath it to replace ground water used by existing residences and businesses and provide an additional renewable water resource within the aquifer for future growth.”
According to Pinal County Supervisor, Stephen Miller, “We have not approved new subdivisions in large parts of Pinal County for years. Our inventory of lots in approved subdivisions will eventually be gone. Our agricultural lands will be unable to make the natural transition to housing which we desperately need. As the supply of housing runs out, home prices will skyrocket. It’s that simple. The new assured water supply rules strike a balance between the past and future. We hope everyone will support these rules.”
On October 7, 2024, ADWR filed rules supporting the ADAWS with the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC). This is the last step in making the rules a reality. The new rules are scheduled to be heard by the GRRC for the first time on October 29th at a Council Study Session. The GRRC will decide to approve, or not, the new rules on November 5th.
Members of the public can provide written comments to the GRRC by emailing them to grrccomments@azdoa.gov. Members of the public can attend meetings which are held virtually and all information for attending and participating in those meetings is listed in the agenda for each Study Session or Council Meeting on the GRRC’s website.
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