By Jen Lebron Kuhney | The Arizona Republic
The recession virtually halted homebuilding, but as developers continue adding new rooftops to metro Phoenix neighborhoods, local leaders are re-examining plans to provide water to future residents and businesses.
Central Arizona municipalities issued building permits for more than 11,600 homes in 2012, a 71 percent increase from 2011. That means cities must re-evaluate water sources to make sure there is enough to serve new residents who will live in those houses and the businesses that will serve them.
Water could be in short supply, a recent federal study predicts. Cities that rely on water from the Colorado River Basin could face severe water shortages in the next 50 years, the report says. The Colorado River is the most significant source of water for Arizona and many Valley cities.
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