Phoenix city leaders told the City Council Tuesday that the municipality will move into Stage 2 of its Drought Management Plan as early as January. The step follows federal guidelines that will cut Colorado River deliveries to the Lower Basin by 1.25 million acre‑feet in 2027 and 2028, with Arizona slated to absorb 760,000 acre‑feet of those reductions.
What Stage 2 Means for Phoenix
Stage 2 – labeled a “Water Warning” – is triggered when normal supplies become insufficient and additional demand‑reduction measures are needed. City Water Resources Management Advisor Max Wilson emphasized that the move does not mean water service will stop.
“We don’t mean you’re going to go to your faucet and no water is going to come out. We mean that we are going to have to start changing our operations,” Wilson said.
Temporary Surcharge Targets High Users
The city plans a temporary drought surcharge of $2.10 per unit (748 gallons) for water use above class‑specific monthly thresholds. The charge applies only to usage beyond the threshold, not to all water consumed, and would take effect once Stage 2 is declared.
According to the city, about 16 percent of residential bills, 7 percent of commercial bills and 1 percent of industrial bills could be affected. Preliminary modeling suggests the surcharge could generate roughly $40 million, which would fund conservation programs and new water‑supply projects such as the Bartlett Dam expansion.
Conservation Goals and Voluntary Reductions
The plan asks residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce water use by five percent, while city departments aim for a ten‑percent cut. No‑cost water‑efficiency consultations will be expanded, and the city continues to promote leak repairs, irrigation adjustments, desert‑adapted landscaping, and water‑efficient devices.
Mayor Kate Gallego noted, “We’ve spent decades preparing for the challenges we’re facing today, and those investments have put us in a good position. But the cuts from the federal government require us to take further action. Phoenix is stepping up its own conservation efforts, and we’re asking residents and businesses to join us.”
Long‑Term Supply Strategies
Phoenix is also working on backup supplies and new water sources. These include renewable backup supplies, stored one‑time‑use water, groundwater recovery infrastructure, and regional water partnerships. While these reserves add flexibility, Wilson warned they are not unlimited.
The city is advancing the Bartlett Dam expansion to increase Verde River storage and pursuing additional storage along the Salt and Verde rivers. Projects such as Pure Water Phoenix – advanced purification facilities at Cave Creek Road, North Gateway and 91st Avenue – and participation in the Secure Water Arizona Program are also part of the long‑term strategy.
How Residents Can Help
Residents can find water‑saving tips and information about the Drought Management Plan at phoenix.gov/savewater. Details on drought conditions are available at phoenix.gov/drought.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
