Arizona Takes Washington to Court Over the Colorado River

For a century, the Colorado River has been governed by a fragile set of deals among seven states. This month, Arizona decided those deals were no longer enough. On October 16, Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Water Resources moved to join Nevada’s lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior. Then, on October 27, the Central Arizona … Read More

‘Poop Water’ Churns a Local Election in Parched Arizona

City Council candidates in ritzy Scottsdale disagree on whether recycling wastewater into drinking water is smart policy or a dangerous remedy. A ritzy Arizona enclave is facing water cuts, and the most divisive idea to offset them begins with millions of gallons of sewage. Call it affluent effluent. The plan — which involves rigorously treating and purifying wastewater, then routing … Read More

What Happens With Scottsdale Water Impacts Greater Phoenix

By Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego Scottsdale is at an important crossroads for its water future, and the decisions its leaders make today will impact the entire Valley for years to come. The federal government has cut Arizona’s allocation of Colorado River water by 30 percent, with even greater cuts possible within the decade. In Scottsdale, that matters a lot: 70 … Read More

Op-Ed: Whitehead and Zubia Want Toilet-to-Tap. Our Golf Courses Stand in the Way

By Terry Babb This week, Attorney General Kris Mayes said Arizona “probably has too many golf courses.” That comment landed hard in Scottsdale, where golf courses support our tourism economy, preserve open space, and protect residents’ quality of life. Golf courses may also be a problem for Councilmember Solange Whitehead and her political apprentice Raoul Zubia. Both push Advanced Water … Read More

Op-Ed: Scottsdale has benefited from decades of responsible water planning

By Raoul Zubia Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas is right about one thing: Scottsdale has benefited from decades of responsible water planning. But that success should not become an excuse for complacency. Dubauskas cites Scottsdale’s legal entitlement to 141,000 acre-feet of water annually. What she overlooks is the difference between water rights and water availability. The Colorado River is over-allocated, and legal … Read More

Facts Over Fiction on Scottsdale’s Water

By Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas Councilwoman Solange Whitehead’s recent column claims city water professionals and her colleagues misled residents at our latest work-study session. The record says otherwise. For months, Whitehead and her political ally Raoul Zubia have warned that Scottsdale’s water security is in crisis and that Advanced Water Purification (AWP) is the only fix. The city’s own experts presented … Read More

The Truth About Scottsdale’s Water “Surplus”: Debunking Tall Tales

By Councilwoman Solange Whitehead Scottsdale Councilmembers Barry Graham and Jan Dubauskas’ comments at this week’s Council meeting on water made one thing clear: they either do not understand – or they do not want the public to understand – the truth about Scottsdale’s water challenges.   After nearly two years of their blocking public meetings on water, we finally held a … Read More

Op-Ed: Scottsdale Can’t Afford to Wait and See on Water. Vote for Zubia

By Former SRP Executive Tony Moya I spent decades at SRP working alongside colleagues to deliver water and power to the people of Arizona. The lesson from that work is simple: you plan for shortages before they arrive. Scottsdale is now bracing for a 17% cut to its Colorado River supply as soon as January. City officials say residents won’t … Read More

Op-Ed: Scottsdale’s Future Depends on Getting Water and Growth Right

By Ana Landeros I’m proud to be a Scottsdale resident. I attended our schools here, graduated from Coronado High School, and now attend Scottsdale Community College. My family and I moved to Scottsdale because of its promise of community and opportunity. Now, at 18 years old, I know that the decisions made about Scottsdale today will impact my generation and … Read More