A newly created legal process allows development to proceed if builders agree to bring in renewable water sources and reduce their groundwater use by 25%.
The Arizona Department of Water Resources partially lifted a moratorium on new development, allowing water company EPCOR to build up to 60,000 new homes.
As Tony Davis explains in High Country News, “The ADWR issued the moratorium in June 2023 after concluding that the Phoenix area’s long-depleted aquifer no longer had enough water to serve all the developments planned for the region for 100 years as required by the 1980 Groundwater Management Act.”
EPCOR used a newly created legal process to earn the right to build their planned developments “as they agree to bring in outside renewable water supplies.” Developers are then expected to cut their groundwater use by 25 percent. Kathleen Ferris, a former ADWR director, says the move is part of “an incremental approach to weaning water providers away from groundwater onto renewable water supplies,” but that the new rule won’t allow the building of as many new homes as were planned before the moratorium.
Read the full story: Phoenix subdivision builds move ahead, despite water concerns
Nearly Half a Million New Arizona Homes Halted Due to Water Crisis
The Arizona Department of Water Resources has put a moratorium on new water supply permits, making the future of planned residential developments uncertain.
Unsustainable Sprawl Testing Water Supplies in the Valley of the Sun
As more and more people move to the suburbs blossoming in the Phoenix metro area, local water officials are increasingly concerned about the region's ability to keep up with demand.
Arizona Tightens Groundwater Restrictions to Rein in Agribusinesses
The state is creating an ‘active management area’ in the western part of the state, where agribusinesses including a Saudi alfalfa exporter have practically free rein over water supplies.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
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Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
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California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
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