Mayor Gallego, City Council Continue Work to Prepare for Colorado River Uncertainty

Mayor Kate Gallego, the City Council, and Water Services Department and Water Resources leadership discussed priorities and strategies related to the Colorado River, the City’s Drought Management Plan, and the long-term strategy to augment water supplies. 

For many years, Phoenix has prepared for the possibility of receiving less water from the Colorado River system, and although Phoenix’s population has boomed, water use on a per capita basis has declined.  Moreover, City officials also reiterated that while the Colorado River is a significant source of the City’s water—40 percent of total—the Salt and Verde rivers make up a majority of Phoenix’s overall water supply.

Critically, officials confirmed the multiple ways that the City has prepared for reduced Colorado River system allocation, including:

• Storing unused water underground for future use
• Developing additional groundwater capacity and access points
• Expanding infrastructure to move water across the system
• Advancing Pure Water Phoenix, which will provide a new local, drought-resilient water source

Staff also provided an update on the City’s Drought Management Plan which provides a phased approach to balancing water supply and demand, and a proposed statewide, voluntary water sharing framework. 

"Phoenix has been preparing for times of shortage for decades, and we continue to hone our conservation and management strategies,” Mayor Gallego said. “We’ve stored significant water underground, made infrastructure improvements that allow us to move water where it’s needed, doubled down on conservation efforts, and supported forest restoration that protects the health of critical watersheds. Phoenix is also leading the development of a regional advanced water purification facility that will serve cities across the metro area near the turn of the decade.”

“As an Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) board member, I have been actively advocating for plans to safeguard the Colorado River for future generations,” Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington said. “Phoenix is committed to a sustainable future: from conservation to new infrastructure, today’s action continues our forward trajectory by fostering continued investment in additional water resources.”

“Phoenix should not be punished for planning. For decades, we have banked water, built drought infrastructure, and forged regional partnerships — all while our residents voluntarily cut per-capita water use by 30 percent over 20 years,” Councilwoman Ann O'Brien said. “Phoenix's conservation record is our strongest argument in Washington, and we need to keep building it. Every gallon saved between now and 2027 shows Washington exactly who we are. I’m calling on every resident and business to join the fight and visit www.phoenix.gov/savewater. Right now, conservation is the most powerful thing you can do.”

“As an advocate for responsible water use, I’ve seen how climate change is not only shrinking the Colorado River but also driving up the cost of securing reliable water,” Councilwoman Laura Pastor said. “Every year of prolonged drought increases the price of clean and reliable water. That’s why continued investment and conservation are essential to keeping Phoenix resilient and economically strong.”

“Phoenix is at a critical moment when it comes to water and affordability for our residents,” Councilwoman Betty Guardado said. “Conservation isn’t optional—it’s how we protect our future. Taking care of the Colorado River means choosing long-term stability for our community.” 

“For decades, Phoenix has been ahead of the curve in preparation for a water shortage, and today is no different. Preserving the Colorado River and our water sources should be a top priority for every Phoenician,” Councilman Kevin Robinson said. “I am committed to investing into Phoenix’s water security, as we all have a part to play in this crucial issue.”

“I’m deeply concerned by federal decisions that could impact our water supply but encouraged that Phoenix is taking proactive steps to prepare: from water storage to infrastructure investments. As we face ongoing challenges tied to the Colorado River, this moment demands regional cooperation, not competition in the name of scarcity,” Councilwoman Anna Hernandez said. “We must center Tribal Nations as leaders in water governance and confront the inequities in our current system, where large users consume vast amounts of water while everyday residents are asked to conserve more and pay more. This is also why we must stand firm in pushing back on water-intensive development, including data centers, that risk deepening this imbalance during a time of crisis. Water isn’t a commodity. It’s sacred. It’s a living system.”