Colorado River Update

Phoenix is preparing for major Colorado River cuts as new federal guidelines arrive for 2027. Thanks to decades of planning, residents and businesses will not see any service interruptions — but every drop still counts. Be PHX Water Smart and reduce your use by saving water wherever you can.

With strong drought infrastructure, storage, and a diversified supply, Phoenix is building sustainable solutions for our future. Learn about Phoenix’s Drought Management Plan: Phoenix.gov/WaterFuture

Decades of Preparation 

Phoenix has taken several major steps to prepare for reduced Colorado River supplies: 

• Underground storage: Phoenix has approximately 700,000 acre-feet of water stored underground in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. That stored water represents an important reserve for periods of shortage.  

• Drought Pipeline: The City completed the approximately $300 million Drought Pipeline Project, strengthening its ability to move Salt and Verde River water into north Phoenix. 

• Groundwater capacity: Phoenix currently has approximately 20 operational wells and expects to bring approximately 10 additional wells online within three years. 

• Pure Water Phoenix: Three planned advanced water purification facilities are expected to provide more than 50,000 acre-feet of renewable water annually within the next decade.  

• Additional renewable supplies: Phoenix is participating in planning for a potential expansion of Bartlett Reservoir to capture and store additional Verde River water. 

• Conservation: Despite a much higher population, Phoenix uses about the same total volume of water today as it did decades ago. Water use per person continues to decline. 

• Regional cooperation: Phoenix and Tucson are developing the Secure Water Arizona Program, a voluntary framework intended to support emergency reserves, reduction-offset projects and innovative water-sharing agreements. 

Five Ways to Save Water in Phoenix  

The City of Phoenix is in a Stage 1 Water Alert in the Drought Management Plan. As drought conditions persist and uncertainty on the Colorado River remains, Phoenix is asking residents and businesses to do their part to save water and secure our water future.  

Five easy action items include 1) find and fix leaks 2) check your water bill every month 3) switch to native desert plants 4) use a smart irrigation controller 5) share the desert-water mindset.  

Cholla Trail Access Restriction!

The City of Phoenix Water Services Department is beginning the Cholla Sewer Diversion and Abandonment Project. Work began recently, but Cholla Trail will be closed from August 17–28.
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Back-to-School Safety Etiquette Tips

It’s back-to-school season! As students return to the classroom, our officers are once again keeping a close eye on school zones to help every child get to school safely. Here are a few reminders:

• Bring your patience! It’s a busy time for everyone, so let’s make sure everyone arrives at school safely.
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• Stop for school buses with flashing red lights.
  
  
• Come to a complete stop at stop signs and near crosswalks.
  
  
• Stay off your phone — avoid distracted driving.
  
  
• Slow down in school zones and watch for crossing guards and students.

Let’s stay alert, slow down and help keep our school communities safe!

Animal Cruelty Ordinance Updates

In District 6, we care deeply about the health and wellbeing of our pets. That’s why I voted in support of the City’s updated animal cruelty ordinance.  Dogs CAN NOT be tethered without direct supervision, and tethers must be at least six-feet long, allowing dogs to move around. 

Learn more and protect our pets.

Adoptable Pet – Oat

Meow!  My name is Catrick and I weigh 4 LBS! I’m also quite talented at creating my own games when no toys are around. A cardboard box can become a castle, a blanket can become a mountain, and an innocent-looking piece of string can become the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen. Come meet me today!

Type of home I'm looking for: A loving and patient place! My adoption fee is:$289

 Visit azhumane.org/adopt to learn more!