Development will be impacted in the Valley because of new restrictions on water allocation, but proactive and innovative cities obtaining or keeping diverse water portfolios have reaped the benefits of expansion.
According to the state, 80,000 new housing lots are slated and approved to be constructed in the region. However, the state recently barred construction in the Valley that depended solely on 100 years of assured groundwater supply at the housing site, instead mandating 100 years of diverse water supplies within a city.
In Phoenix, that groundwater rule is not an issue. The city’s water portfolio starts with active water from the Salt River Project, considered a foundational supply, contributing about 58% of the city’s water. Phoenix is regarded as the highest priority city within SRP's geographic distribution area, which naturally curves towards the East Valley from Phoenix.
