By Chamber Business News
Arizona is making significant investments and taking proactive steps to ensure the state can continue to grow and make up for potential shortfalls of groundwater, Governor Katie Hobbs announced in a recent press conference with key business and water stakeholders.
The announcement came in conjunction with the release of a 100-year model by Hobbs and Tom Buschatzke, director of the Department of Water Resources, outlining potential groundwater shortfalls if steps are not taken to bolster Arizona’s water supply.
“Families and businesses from around the world come to Arizona in part because they know we are serious about water management, and that we are the leader in safeguarding groundwater supplies,” Hobbs said. “What the model ultimately shows is that our water future is secure: the Assured Water Supply Program is working. Water supplies for homeowners and businesses are protected. Growth has been planned for and will continue. My message to Arizonans is this: we are not out of water, and we will not be running out of water.”
The information presented by the administration shows the results of the state’s Assured Water Supply Program, with Arizona utilizing less water today than it did six decades ago. This success in water conservation has underpinned economic development projects and fueled rapid growth.
Rose Law Group Founder and President Jordan Rose couldn’t agree more, telling RLGR: “The spin around this is overblown. The 5th largest city in the U.S. is not shutting down development. There are years of supply of residential lots right now that can be built and this has no effect on that. The properties that are affected will come to the table with the state and work on a solution that allows for smart water policy to continue. We are working on this now.”
