Buckeye and Queen Creek Secure Groundwater Supply from Rural Arizona
Residents of Buckeye and Queen Creek can breathe a sigh of relief as these growing communities have secured a new source of groundwater. This development follows the unprecedented approval by the Department of Water Resources to transfer water from rural areas to urban centers.
The historic decision allows Buckeye and Queen Creek to draw significant amounts of water from the Harquahala basin. Specifically, Buckeye is permitted to withdraw up to 5,926 acre-feet annually, while Queen Creek can access up to 5,000 acre-feet per year. This agreement marks the first legal inter-basin water transfer in Arizona, highlighting a strategic shift in water resource management.
However, the long-term viability of this solution remains under scrutiny. Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, emphasizes that while this transfer is beneficial, it is not a comprehensive solution to Arizona’s water challenges. “Increasingly, I think there’s a recognition that we need to find some other water supplies,” she states, indicating the ongoing search for sustainable water sources.
The agreement is set to span up to 110 years, potentially providing water to over 30,000 homes. This extended timeframe underscores the critical nature of securing water resources for Arizona’s growing populations.
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