The three-party accords have been approved by the City of Tucson and the Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement District in Tucson, and the Phoenix City Council.
“Securing our water future is one of our highest priorities – for Phoenix residents and our economy,” Mayor Greg Stanton said. “We’re fortunate that Phoenix already has a record as a wise water planner. These innovative agreements are examples of how cities can find creative ways to protect our future water supply and safeguard against continued drought and climate change.”
The partnership aims to increase the reliability of Phoenix’s Colorado River water supply over the long term, while providing near-term benefits to aquifers in Pima County by increasing their groundwater levels.
Under the agreements, Phoenix will store some of its unused Colorado River water in Tucson aquifers — water that Phoenix would otherwise lose and see go to another water user.
During future shortages on the Colorado, the City of Tucson and Metro Water will pump the stored water out of their aquifers and deliver it to their customers.
In exchange, both Tucson water providers will order a part of their Colorado River water for delivery to Phoenix water treatment plants, and ultimately, Phoenix customers.
“Metro Water, Tucson and Phoenix saw a future challenge and then worked jointly to solve the issue by creating a new water management tool,” said Judy Scrivener, chair of the Metro Board of Directors.
Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild noted that these agreements are just the latest examples of cooperation between Phoenix and Tucson “on what is possibly the most important issue to both our cities — a safe and secure water supply.”
Phoenix Councilwoman Thelda Williams described the partnership as “an example of combining resources and creating a better and less-expensive way of getting something done.”
Phoenix Councilman Bill Gates noted that companies, businesses and residents the city is trying to attract to move to Phoenix “will want to know that we have a plan to ensure a sustainable water supply. Now we have an even more diverse and forward-thinking plan through this partnership.”
The agreements will allow for a small-scale pilot project to begin in 2015 that will run for two to three years. If successful, it could lead to a larger-scale, long-term program that could include other water providers in the state.