Phoenix City Council Approves Controversial Water Conservation Plan Amidst Historic Drought
TEMPE, Arizona, November 15, 2023 – The Phoenix City Council, in a decisive 6-3 vote on Wednesday, approved a sweeping water conservation plan that will impose mandatory usage restrictions on residents and businesses for the first time in the city's history. The action, following a devastating summer that saw the Salt River Project reservoir system drop to 38 percent capacity, establishes tiered rate increases for households exceeding a monthly allocation of 12,000 gallons. Council members cited the rapid depletion of the Colorado River and depleted groundwater basins as the primary drivers. Mayor Kate Gallego stated the plan is necessary to secure the region's long-term viability. Critics, including the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, argue the restrictions will stifle economic growth and harm low-income families. Implementation is set to begin January 1, 2024, with a grace period for non-compliance through the first quarter. Water usage data from the city indicates the average household currently consumes 15,000 gallons per month, a figure the plan aims to reduce by 20 percent within two years. The decision marks a significant shift in policy for a city historically reliant on abundant, subsidized water resources.