Chandler water well gets federal help

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

While there are many battles still to be fought over water resources in the months and years ahead, at the Congressional level alone, Greg Stanton says, it’s nice to be able to celebrate small victories.

That’s what Stanton wanted to talk about March 10 when the Congressman showed up for the presentation of a symbolic $1 million check. That’s the approximate amount of a federal appropriation Stanton (D-Phoenix) says he helped secure to help fund the city digging a water well along McQueen Road in south Chandler.

“Thanks, in part, to Chandler’s leadership, the city has a diverse water portfolio that’s not as heavily dependent on Colorado River water as some cities,” Stanton said. “Chandler’s been instrumental in conservation and other water fronts. For years, I’ve worked closely with them to secure federal investments to meet these kinds of moments.”

The well site is next door to Chandler’s No. 10 fire station on McQueen Road, just south of Chandler Heights Road.

Stanton, whose District 4 includes parts of Chandler, Phoenix, Mesa and most of Tempe, was accompanied by staff. Chandler was represented at the gathering by Mayor Kevin Hartke, Vice Mayor Angel Encinas City Council members Matt Orlando, O.D. Harris and Jennifer Hawkins and Public Works Director Jeremy Abbott.

Hartke spoke, pointing out that adding to the city’s 32 wells was just one decision that’s part of staff and council’s regular scrutiny of ways to improve the city’s overall water resources and system.

He pointed out that every Valley city has a different division of its water sources. Chandler gets 57% of its water from the Salt River, 37% from the Colorado River and only 6% from groundwater.

Abbott said the water for the well will come from the East Valley Aquifer.

Stanton praised Chandler leadership’s focus on a variety of water priorities, including xeriscaping incentives, reclaimed water development and other conservation efforts.

Stanton said the event was a reminder that Arizona water solutions will always be complex. He said examples are pipeline infrastructure to divert Salt and Verde excess into the Colorado basin, more use of reclaimed water at facilities like golf courses, desalination and more conservation methods.

Stanton said the cuts the seven states in the Colorado River basin must be divided evenly between the upper and lower basins.

“It’s a matter of national security,” Stanton said. “Adequate water supply for critical chipmaking, like what Intel does here in Chandler, is what’s right for the whole U.S.”

Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.