By Ronald Sampson Scottsdale has long prided itself on being one of the most forward-thinking cities in the American West when it comes to water policy. For a desert municipality that has watched the Colorado River shrink for decades, that reputation wasn’t just a point of civic pride; it was existential planning. Which is what makes a quiet but consequential … Read More
$10.4 million win positions Scottsdale to take first step to transform WestWorld drainage infrastructure
The Water Infrastructure Financing Authority of Arizona (WIFA) has approved a $10,436,918 low-cost loan, including $1 million in principal forgiveness, to support major drainage improvements at WestWorld of Scottsdale — a key priority of Mayor Lisa Borowsky’s administration. The investment marks a major first step forward in delivering long-needed improvements that will enhance WestWorld’s safety, operations, and economic performance, Mayor … Read More
Guest Editorial: Scottsdale Water is Fast Becoming the New Gold!
By Bob Littlefield Dear Friends: For years overdevelopment has taken a heavy toll on Scottsdale’s special character and high quality of life. Clogged roads, blocked views, higher taxes and overburdened infrastructure have been the legacy of the overdevelopment previous City Council majorities have approved. But now, overdevelopment poses another threat to Scottsdale’s residents – water shortages! Arizona is suffering from … Read More
Mayor Borowsky blasts draft Colorado River plan, urges adequate protection for Scottsdale’s future
Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky is calling on the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to revise its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for post‑2026 Colorado River operations, warning that the current proposal fails to protect cities like Scottsdale that depend heavily on the Central Arizona Project (CAP) for its water supply. Mayor Borowsky submitted a detailed letter to the Bureau of Reclamation … Read More
Water: Protecting Scottsdale’s Lifeline
By Councilmember Solange Whitehead This past week, Western states that depend on the Colorado River failed to agree on rules for sharing increasingly scarce water resources, so the federal government may impose its own. Current proposals being discussed could cut Arizona’s share significantly. Scottsdale relies on the Colorado River for roughly 70% of our water, putting us more at risk … Read More
Water Issues are Back to the Forefront in Arizona: How Concerned Should You Be?
The collapse of Colorado River negotiations on November 11 wasn’t just a bureaucratic failure; it’s a warning sign that Arizona’s water future remains deeply uncertain. When Governor Katie Hobbs and bipartisan legislative leaders jointly urged federal intervention, calling Colorado River reliability “a matter of national security,” they weren’t being hyperbolic. The question isn’t whether Arizona faces water challenges, but how severe those … Read More
A Dry Canary in the Coalmine: What Scottsdale’s Analysis Says About Arizona’s Future
Arizona’s water crisis has reached a tipping point, and Scottsdale’s recent experiences serve as a stark preview of what may await the entire state. As the Colorado River continues its relentless decline through more than two decades of drought, Arizona faces an increasingly precarious water future that demands immediate attention and long-term strategic planning. The Numbers Don’t Lie: Arizona will … Read More
The Intersection of Water and Industry in Arizona: How New Jobs Also Equals New Challenges
Two issues have taken a lot of real estate at the Arizona Progress & Gazette are water and industry. Usually they end up being separated because they are nuanced-enough subjects in their own right, but occasionally they merge, and in one particular case it spells out the massive potential challenges that await our state. For those of you who use … Read More
Phoenix’s Water Management Dilemma: Politics, Sustainability and Resources
By Grace Chapman Within the arid landscape of Arizona, water is a necessary resource as this summer saw scorching temperatures up to 116 degrees. Therefore it is imperative that Arizona’s local and state governments understand how to navigate water resources within the state. Phoenix faces a formidable challenge of managing water resources during climate change and growing urbanization. Most of … Read More
Statement from Supervisor Thomas Galvin on Rio Verde Foothills Standpipe Decision
“The Arizona Corporation Commission approved EPCOR’s application to construct a standpipe for water service to the Rio Verde Foothills community today. This is the long-term solution that I worked towards since becoming a member of the Board of Supervisors and serving District 2. I am happy that the good folks in Rio Verde Foothills will have a long-term, reliable water … Read More

