Waterline Breaks Plague Phoenix as City Struggles to Keep Up

Pipeline breaks are a daily occurrence in the city, but funding for an expanded pipe-replacement program has been a contentious issue.

1 minute read

January 16, 2019, 1:00 PM PST

By Camille Fink


Phoenix Aerial

Melikamp / Wikimedia Commons

Jessica Boehm reports that Phoenix is at a crossroads in dealing with its aging waterline infrastructure. The city has 7,000 waterlines, many of which will need to be replaced now or in coming decades. The city deals with 4,000 waterline breaks annually that cause street closures and traffic problems and waste large quantities of water.

But, the city does not have the funds needed to expand its pipe-replacement program. The city council recently voted to increase the water rate by 6 percent this year and again next year in order to raise $500 million to replace pipes as well as build new wells to access groundwater.

The city council was split. Opponents say low-income residents are going to be unfairly burdened by the rate hike and funding needs to come from other sources. But supporters argue that Phoenix has to be proactive about upgrading its water infrastructure or it will face a water supply crisis in the future.

Wednesday, January 9, 2019 in azcentral

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

3 hours ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

5 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

7 hours ago - The Washington Post