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  • Arizona's Groundwater Crisis: Clamping Down on Desert Pumping

    Arizona's Groundwater Crisis: Clamping Down on Desert Pumping
    2026/01/18
    Arizona's Water Crisis Takes Center Stage as State Cracks Down on Desert Pumping

    Phoenix is facing a perfect storm of water challenges that's forcing the state to take dramatic action. Just this week, Governor Katie Hobbs announced that Arizona will begin limiting groundwater pumping in the Ranegras Plain, a desert valley about 100 miles west of Phoenix where water tables have been plummeting at an alarming rate.

    The culprit? A Saudi-owned dairy company called Fondomonte, which has been pumping unlimited amounts of groundwater to grow hay for export back to the Middle East. According to the Arizona Department of Water Resources, water levels in some wells have dropped more than 200 feet over the last four decades, with pumping intensifying dramatically over the past decade. The state received more than 400 public comments on the proposal to regulate the area, with the vast majority supporting intervention.

    Governor Hobbs pulled no punches in her statement, vowing to crack down on out-of-state interests that are pumping Arizona dry while local families and farmers struggle. The state's Department of Water Resources designated the area as a new active management zone to preserve these finite groundwater resources. Adding pressure to the situation, Arizona's Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against Fondomonte, alleging that excessive pumping violates state law by causing groundwater declines, land subsidence, and worsening water quality.

    The groundwater crisis extends far beyond this one company. According to the Colorado River Basin satellite data, groundwater has been rapidly declining across the region as reservoirs shrink. The problem is that Arizona's current groundwater law, adopted back in 1980, only limits pumping in Phoenix, Tucson, and other urban areas. That leaves about eighty percent of the state completely unregulated, allowing large farming operations and investors to drill wells and pump as much as they want.

    But Arizona's water troubles don't end there. The state faces deeper cuts to its Colorado River water supply in 2026, with seven southwestern states needing to reach a water-sharing agreement by February 14th. According to water policy experts at Arizona State University, if the Colorado River system crashes and the dams and reservoirs stop operating as designed, it could devastate the entire American West's water security and have significant economic consequences.

    Looking at immediate conditions, Phoenix is expecting relatively dry weather through the month with only light precipitation possible toward the end of next week. The region is getting about four days with some rain typically in January, with average rainfall around 24 millimeters.

    Local officials like La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin are calling the groundwater regulation a big win that will prevent megafarms from moving into the area and expanding operations that drain the aquifer.

    Thanks so much for tuning in to this water update. Be sure to subscribe for more Arizona news and analysis. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.

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    3 分
  • Phoenix's Race Against Time: Securing Water in the Arid West

    Phoenix's Race Against Time: Securing Water in the Arid West
    2026/01/14
    Phoenix is facing a critical crossroads as water officials race against the clock to secure the city's future in an increasingly dry West. With January 2027 looming as a potential deadline for painful cuts to the Colorado River supply, Phoenix's water managers are pulling out all the stops to keep the desert metropolis flowing.

    According to Denver and Phoenix water officials, the sprawling Phoenix metro area sits on the front lines of a stubborn drought that could slash water deliveries as soon as next year. The Central Arizona Project, which delivers about 60 percent of Arizona's Colorado River water through a 336-mile open canal system, faces potential cuts of up to 760,000 acre-feet annually during the basin's driest years. The city of Phoenix itself relies on the project for 40 percent of its water supply, and because the Central Arizona Project holds junior water rights, it's first in line for cuts when resources run low.

    But Phoenix water manager Max Wilson isn't sitting idle. The city is bringing online advanced water treatment facilities at an impressive pace. Scottsdale has already operated Arizona's first permanent advanced water treatment plant, and Phoenix plans to demonstrate its own facility in 2027 with water deliveries beginning in 2028. Together, three treatment plants in the works could deliver up to 77 million gallons of purified water per day, covering roughly 30 percent of Phoenix's total water needs.

    Beyond the Colorado River crisis, Arizona just took major action on groundwater protection. Governor Katie Hobbs announced that the state will regulate groundwater pumping in the Ranegras Plain area, 100 miles west of Phoenix, where a Saudi dairy company called Fondomonte has been aggressively extracting water to irrigate alfalfa for overseas shipment. The state's new designation as an active management area means the company and other landowners now face strict limits on how much groundwater they can pump, preventing further aquifer depletion in the region.

    Regarding recent weather conditions, January has brought typical desert patterns. Weather forecasts from Phoenix meteorologists confirm above average temperatures with dry conditions continuing through at least the next several days. Phoenix residents can expect nothing in rainfall amounts locally, though some light precipitation may fall along Arizona's southern border. High pressure remains the dominant weather feature, with a dry northwesterly flow expected to persist with no sign of change in the near term.

    As state and federal officials work toward a post-2026 water management agreement, Phoenix is positioning itself as a sustainable desert city through innovation, regulation, and diversified water sources. The next few months will determine whether Arizona's second-largest city can maintain its growth or faces the conservation cuts that could reshape the Southwest.

    Thank you for tuning in. Please subscribe for more water news and updates on how Arizona is adapting to the West's most pressing challenge. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.

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    3 分
  • Dry Winter in Phoenix Highlights Long-Term Drought Challenges for Desert City

    Dry Winter in Phoenix Highlights Long-Term Drought Challenges for Desert City
    2026/01/11
    If you stepped outside in Phoenix over the past two days, you probably noticed something unusual for January: the air is crisp, the skies are brilliantly clear, and the rain that briefly soaked the Valley has already become yesterday’s memory.

    Local forecaster Michael Groff reported in his January 9 and January 10 weather discussions that the recent storm system has moved out, leaving behind the coldest air of the season and then quickly giving way to strong high pressure and dry air. At Phoenix Sky Harbor, the official rain total from that system was just eleven hundredths of an inch, while some neighborhoods around the Valley picked up as much as two thirds of an inch, with big variations from block to block. That quick burst of rain freshened up desert washes and parks but was nowhere near enough to make a serious dent in long‑term drought.

    Now, high pressure is firmly in control. According to Groff’s latest outlook, the pattern over the next week looks locked into sunny skies, very dry air, and gradually warming afternoons, with highs climbing from the upper 60s toward the low 70s by early next week. Overnight, the dry air and clear skies will still allow for chilly mornings, but there is essentially no measurable rain in the forecast for Phoenix through at least Friday, and ensemble models suggest less than a tenth of an inch for the rest of January if the pattern holds.

    What does that mean for local water? In the short term, your drinking water remains safe and reliable; city utilities rely on a blend of Colorado River water, Salt and Verde river supplies, and carefully managed groundwater, all treated to meet federal and state standards. The recent rain helps with dust, air quality, and a touch of soil moisture, but the big picture still depends on reservoirs far upstream and ongoing conservation.

    That big picture is in the news too. The Colorado Sun reports that the Bureau of Reclamation just released a draft report outlining options for how to manage the Colorado River after 2026, a critical step for cities like Phoenix that depend on that river for a major portion of their supply. Federal officials are weighing how to share future shortages among the seven basin states, and they warn that in the driest years, cities such as Phoenix could be pushed to lean more on groundwater or other sources, while farmers might have to end seasons early.

    So for now, enjoy the clear skies, the cool mornings, and those gradually warming afternoons. Just remember: even on sunny, perfect winter days, every drop still counts in the desert.

    Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe.

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    3 分
  • Trickles of Water News: EPCOR Filling Station, Phoenix Showers, Groundwater Regs in La Paz County

    Trickles of Water News: EPCOR Filling Station, Phoenix Showers, Groundwater Regs in La Paz County
    2026/01/07
    Hey Phoenix folks, water's making waves in our desert backyard, and the past couple days brought fresh drips of news that'll quench your curiosity!

    First off, Rio Verde Foothills just scored big with EPCOR Utilities opening a shiny new water filling station on New Year's Day off 176th Street, according to ABC15. After Scottsdale cut them off in 2023 amid drought woes, residents like Damon Bruns of Dynamite Water LLC are pumping with relief, calling it a secure source for years. Local hauler John Hornewer cheers it as a basic necessity, though some like Karen Nabity gripe about steep costs—up to $6,400 yearly for 6,000 gallons including hauling. EPCOR promises regulated prices via the Arizona Corporation Commission, with accounts needed for access.

    Weather-wise, YouTube meteorologist Michael Groff's January 5 and 6 discussions forecast scattered showers hitting Phoenix Wednesday and Thursday, with 1/4 to 1/2 inch possible, per WPC outlooks and GFS ensembles. No major drench, but southeast spots could see heavier—up to 2/3 inch on those Euro models. Temps hover mid-60s under clouds, a welcome shift from above-average warmth. January averages 24mm rain over four days, per Weather2Travel, with 19°C days and 8 sunny hours.

    Broader buzz: Phys.org reports Arizona eyeing groundwater regs in La Paz County west of Phoenix, where Saudi-owned Fondomonte's pumping has dropped levels 242 feet since the '80s, causing land subsidence. Gov. Hobbs pushes back, terminating leases to protect locals.

    SRP's drying an eight-mile Scottsdale canal for repairs, per YourValley.net, tweaking local flows.

    Stay hydrated—our water story's flowing strong!

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    2 分
  • Valley of the Sun Splashes into 2026 with Wet Welcome and Water Relief in Rio Verde Foothills

    Valley of the Sun Splashes into 2026 with Wet Welcome and Water Relief in Rio Verde Foothills
    2026/01/04
    Phoenix residents, get ready to turn on the taps with a splash of good news! Kicking off 2026 with wet vibes, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms dumped a couple hundredths of an inch of rain officially on New Year's Day, according to meteorologist Michael Groff's weather discussion. That's a trace yesterday plus today's sprinkle, already putting us on the board after 8.31 inches for last year. Expect another third to half-inch through Thursday, with clouds thinning out later today and highs in the mid-to-upper 60s—perfect desert winter weather.

    But the real splash? Rio Verde Foothills, that unincorporated gem 30 miles north of Scottsdale with 2,200 folks, just ended a nail-biting water saga. FOX 10 Phoenix reports a shiny new EPCOR Utilities water facility opened January 1, delivering the first permanent source in over two years. After Scottsdale cut off hauling in 2021 due to shortages—slashing 117 acre-feet (over 38 million gallons) yearly—residents trucked in water at steep prices. EPCOR, serving nearby Fountain Hills, built a pipeline and filling station off 176th Street, open daily 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for approved locals only.

    Resident Leigh Harris Avril shared with KJZZ it's $75 monthly access plus 16 cents per gallon—about $130 for average use, per EPCOR's Frank Metzler, or up to $300 for heavy haulers. "1,400 families now have reliable water," Metzler beamed to FOX 10. First user Damon Bruns of Dynamite Water LLC filled up New Year's morning, as ABC15 noted. EPCOR's Rebecca Stenholm says rates are Arizona Corporation Commission-regulated, with future tweaks based on true costs.

    Phoenix proper stays resilient amid Colorado River talks. Water manager Max Wilson told Colorado Sun the city is ramping up resources like advanced treatment plants—up to 77 million gallons daily by 2028, covering 30% of needs. No quality alerts yet, but that fresh rain helped clear smoke and fog.

    Stay hydrated, Valley—2026 is flowing right!

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    2 分
  • Phoenix Water Update: Standpipe Relief, Bartlett Bouncing Back, and Rainfall Refresh

    Phoenix Water Update: Standpipe Relief, Bartlett Bouncing Back, and Rainfall Refresh
    2026/01/04
    Hey Phoenix folks, kick off your year with a splash of good water news. After years of hauling water like its the Wild West, Rio Verde Foothills residents finally got relief on New Years Day when EPCOR Utilities opened a shiny new standpipe facility off 176th Street. FOX 10 Phoenix reports its the first permanent source in over two years for about 500 homes that lost Scottsdale supplies back in 2023 due to Colorado River cuts. Now, locals refill daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a $75 monthly fee plus 16 cents per gallon. EPCOR VP Frank Metzler calls it a game-changer, saying average users pay around $130 a month, regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission. Resident Leigh Harris Avril notes its still steep at $300 monthly for some, but hey, promise kept.

    Meanwhile, Bartlett Lake is bouncing back. The Salt River Project announced a massive water release from Horseshoe Dam at 4,500 cubic feet per second, or about 7.5 gallons per second per person if you divvy it up. The Cooldown says this will lift the lakes historically low levels, securing storage and supply for thousands.

    Mother Nature chipped in too. Michael Groffs January 1 weather chat on YouTube tallies a trace of rain yesterday plus a couple hundredths of an inch officially by morning, already beating last years measly 8.31 inches total. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms brought a wet 2026 start, with highs in the mid to upper 60s and more precip chances Tuesday through Wednesday, maybe 1/3 to 1/2 inch through next week per the forecast. Higher terrain got the best soak, helping clear smoke and fog.

    Drinking water stays safe amid the drizzle, and with ongoing Colorado River talks, Arizonas water outlook feels a tad brighter. Stay hydrated, Valley.

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    2 分
  • Phoenix's Water Turnaround: Record Rains and Ambitious Plans for the Future

    Phoenix's Water Turnaround: Record Rains and Ambitious Plans for the Future
    2025/11/30
    Phoenix's Water Story: Rain, Records, and Ambitious Plans

    Phoenix is experiencing a remarkable water turnaround this fall, with weather patterns and ambitious infrastructure projects reshaping the region's relationship with this precious resource.

    The numbers are stunning. According to National Weather Service data, Phoenix just experienced its wettest fall on record with 6.31 inches of rain measured at Sky Harbor International Airport between September and November. That shatters the previous record of 6.18 inches set way back in 1939. To put this in perspective, there have only been 45 entire years since 1896 when Phoenix received less than six inches of rain for the entire year. This fall alone has already surpassed that threshold.

    November alone has been particularly wet. The city received 0.79 inches of rain this month, which is 139 percent of the normal November precipitation. Earlier in the month, parts of the northwest Valley saw as much as 2.45 inches of rain in a single period, with some East Valley areas near Mesa recording 1.26 inches. These aren't just numbers on a chart either. The heavy rains have caused real problems for some residents, with sinkholes and ground subsidence appearing in new communities across the Phoenix metro area after the monsoon rains exposed issues with soil compaction and drainage in some developments.

    But the bigger picture shows Arizona taking major steps to address its long-term water challenges. Just last week, the state Water Infrastructure Finance Authority unanimously approved four water augmentation proposals for exploration, marking what officials are calling a historic milestone. These projects could potentially bring up to around 500,000 acre-feet of water annually to Arizona by the early 2030s.

    The proposals include desalination plants, irrigation modernization to conserve water, and wastewater treatment initiatives that would involve exchanging treated water with neighboring states and Mexico in exchange for portions of their Colorado River allocations. Officials emphasized this isn't a silver bullet solution, but rather what they call silver buckshot—multiple strategies working together to improve water security.

    While costs remain largely undetermined and final agreements with California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and Mexico still need to be negotiated, Arizona is finally moving forward on augmentation after years of planning. The state did face a funding challenge when Governor Katie Hobbs clawed back most of the 1 billion dollar commitment made under the previous administration, but officials remain optimistic.

    Thank you for tuning in. Be sure to subscribe for more Phoenix water updates and local news coverage.

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    3 分
  • Phoenix Weathers Wet November as Water Concerns Linger

    Phoenix Weathers Wet November as Water Concerns Linger
    2025/11/24
    Phoenix has had a soaking week with a rainstorm that brought showers and even some hail to parts of the metro, just as November 2025 heads into its final stretch. According to the National Weather Service, Phoenix recorded about 0.29 inches of rain at Sky Harbor International Airport between Monday and Wednesday this week, with the northwest Valley seeing isolated totals up to 2.45 inches and Mesa clocking in at 1.26 inches. While the monthly rainfall is almost at the historical November average of 0.59 inches, it’s already a huge improvement over last year, when Phoenix saw no measurable rainfall at all. Some neighborhoods heard hail rattling windows, and several streets glistened with puddles late into the week. Meteorologists with the NWS say this storm system was concentrated more over the East Valley on Wednesday and Thursday, with rain tapering off by Friday morning.

    Forecasts for the weekend indicate a slim chance of additional showers, but the main story is shifting back toward drier skies and sun by Monday. Temperature-wise, Phoenix is in for above-average warmth, with highs expected to climb into the upper 70s by Thanksgiving. According to this week’s YouTube Phoenix weather discussion, this rain event made fall 2025 the third wettest meteorological autumn on record for the city. If above-normal precipitation continues, we could even edge closer to the wettest fall ever in Phoenix history.

    On the policy front, big news landed just this week as state officials approved the first-ever legal groundwater transfer from western Arizona’s Harquahala Basin to Maricopa County. The city of Buckeye is now permitted access to nearly 6,000 acre-feet of water per year for the next 110 years, enough to supply approximately 17,000 new homes. While the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona is disputing the groundwater models, for now, new homes on the outskirts just became more viable.

    Despite the concern over water resources, experts at the City of Phoenix Water Services Department confirm the city’s treated water remains safe and high quality, comfortably meeting or exceeding all EPA and state standards—even under population pressures and heat. Arizona’s Department of Environmental Quality also tightened groundwater safety regulations, imposing stricter limits on pollutants like arsenic and uranium. These regulations go into effect August 4th and are designed to keep drinking water safe for generations to come.

    Lake Mead, central to Phoenix’s water supply, sat at a troubling 1,054.49 feet above sea level as of July—over 170 feet below full capacity. The 2025 trend is downward, reflecting drought, regional overuse, and hotter temperatures. Projections by the Arizona Capitol Times warn Lake Mead could approach its record low by year’s end, which makes ongoing conservation policies all the more urgent.

    Phoenix leaders are doubling down on advanced purification, recycling wastewater back into the drinking supply, and increasing investments in water conservation. While no emergency is declared, the city continues under a Stage 1 Water Alert, and water managers stress that sustained dry winters could eventually strain supplies.

    For now, the tap water remains safe and plentiful for 1.7 million residents, but the city urges everyone to do their part—conserving water, staying up-to-date with developments, and preparing for further innovation and regulation in local water policy. Stay alert for more showers as November wraps up, and keep an eye on bigger changes to come in how Phoenix sources, treats, and protects its precious water.

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    4 分