Published on June 06, 2023
Water resources remain strong in the city of Maricopa for current residents and future development. Last week Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) announced restrictions on the use of groundwater for certain future developments in Maricopa County that are within the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA). ADWR had previously issued a similar restriction on certain future developments in Pinal County that are within the Pinal AMA. These restrictions do not impact the city of Maricopa today. Global Water Resources Inc. serves the city of Maricopa and has a 100-year designation of assured water supply (DAWS) for our area of approximately 23,000 acre feet per year and are currently using approximately 8,000 acre feet per year. “We are founded on the fact that water is scarce,” explains Ron Fleming, President and CEO of Global Water Resources, Inc. “We have been taking action for years to reduce water use and increase water supply and will continue these efforts. For example, Global Water has long implemented programs around maximizing direct beneficial reuse of recycled water, which preserves and stretches our available groundwater. We also utilize advanced technology including our automated meter reading system, that allows us as the utility and our customers to proactively monitor water use, and provides real-time communication with our customers on leak detection, usage alerts, and other conservation techniques. We appreciate that our customers use these tools and take water use and conservation seriously. When they do, we also have an approved Conservation Rebate Tariff that results in reductions to bills for those customers that meet the Conservation Rebate Tariff threshold.” Because of these programs, today City of Maricopa residents have the lowest gallons per day per capita use of all major-metro water providers in the Phoenix and Pinal Active Managements Areas, meaning we can stretch our existing supply more than most. “We’re committed to smart and durable growth,” says City Manager, Rick Horst, “We are in an excellent water position today because of the productive partnership between the city and Global Water and will continue to work hand in hand to provide for the future needs of our growing the community.” Further measures currently being taken by Global Water in coordination with the city of Maricopa include:
“Governor Hobb’s announcement is big news for the state and further solidifies our dedication to smart water resource management, and we are working hard to secure and expand our DAWS where appropriate, taking actions to ensure that water is available for the progression of the city,” says Fleming.