As most know, the Colorado River Compact is in renegotiation (https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/5148). The four Upper Basin States (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) have never used all of their water allocation, but most have agreed to minor cuts via water conservation. The bulk of the ~three million acre feet of cuts will fall on the Lower Basin States (California, Nevada, and Arizona). Of the three lower basin states, Arizona has junior water rights to Navada and California. Both of those states will be exercising their rights, so the largest impact will be on Arizona.
The Central Arizona Project (CAP) has already taken a 20% reduction to the system and in 2027 after the new Compact is concluded, we will most likely be taking another cut between 25% and 35%, the cuts are additive (meaning a 45-55% decrease in available water). Since our town water customers get all our water from CAP, the cuts will be both painful and expensive. Your water bill is based on how much water you consume, but the infrastructure costs are fixed, so expect at least a doubling of your current bill over the next few years.
Right now, we are looking at reopening several of the wells in the Town Core, but that still only mitigates a part of the shortfall.
That brings us to the Roulette Wheel, there are two potential sources of long term water, Bartlett Lake Dam via SRP (https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/take-tour-srp-see-reality-arizonas-water-storage) and the Harquahala Basin. Bartlett Lake Dam Expansion is a priority of the State and Federal government. Harquahala Basin water will cost almost three times as much with NO guarantee we will ever see any water.
Many of the same Harquahala Basin investors via different LLCs sold Planet Ranch to Scottsdale (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet,_Arizona). Are you ready to play Roulette yet?
Tom Augherton
– Councilman Town of Cave Creek
Dusty Rhoades
– Councilman Town of Cave Creek
