Arizona Town Secures Water Alternatives Amid Colorado River Uncertainty
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Cave Creek, Arizona, is actively developing multiple water sources to safeguard its supply as potential federal cuts to Colorado River water loom. The town, which currently relies on the river for 95% of its water, is negotiating exchange deals with neighboring cities and has access to stored underground reserves. Utilities officials and consultants indicate the community has several years of viable alternatives before needing longer-term solutions.
Facts First
- Cave Creek gets 95% of its water from the Colorado River via the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal.
- Potential federal cuts to CAP water could begin in January 2027, affecting supplies to seven Western states and Mexico.
- The town is negotiating water exchange deals with Phoenix, Peoria, and Surprise to access groundwater and other CAP water.
- Cave Creek has stored excess Colorado River water underground and has an estimated five to eight years of alternative water sources available.
- Phoenix is building a $350 million wastewater reuse facility expected to deliver purified water by early 2029, which could provide a future failsafe.
What Happened
Cave Creek receives nearly all its water from the Colorado River via the Central Arizona Project (CAP). Three booster pumps on the CAP canal send water through a 12.5-mile pipeline to the town's treatment plant. Potential federal cuts to this water supply could take effect as early as January 2027. In response, the town is pursuing several strategies to secure its water future.
Why this Matters to You
If you live in Cave Creek or the broader Phoenix area, your water security may depend on the success of these negotiations and infrastructure projects. The town's proactive storage and exchange deals could help prevent a scenario like the 2023 water crisis in the nearby Rio Verde Foothills, where taps ran dry. For residents, this work may help maintain reliable water service and stable utility rates in the coming years. The collaborative efforts with larger cities like Phoenix could provide a regional model for managing shared water resources under pressure.
What's Next
Cave Creek is currently negotiating water exchange agreements with the cities of Phoenix, Peoria, and Surprise. Phoenix is also working to create a direct 'interconnect' to send treated drinking water to Cave Creek as a failsafe. Looking further ahead, long-term strategies for the town could include importing water from the distant Harquahala aquifer or purchasing water rights from farming districts or Native American tribes. Meanwhile, Phoenix's new wastewater reuse facility, expected to be operational in early 2029, and a larger regional facility planned for 2033, may offer additional future supply options. The CAP has also expressed interest in a potential water exchange with a desalination plant in San Diego, California.