Kris Mayes Announces Major Water Conservation Initiative for Arizona Amidst Historic Drought
PHOENIX, AZ – In a formal press conference held earlier today at the State Capitol, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes unveiled a sweeping new water conservation plan designed to address the state's escalating drought crisis. The initiative, titled the "Arizona Water Future Act," aims to impose stricter regulations on groundwater usage for industrial and agricultural sectors.
According to the Attorney General's office, the plan will enforce a 15% reduction in water consumption from non-residential sources over the next five years. Key provisions include mandatory metering for all high-volume wells, enhanced penalties for unauthorized pumping, and a $500 million fund dedicated to recycling and desalination technologies. Mayes stated that the action is necessary to prevent an irreversible collapse of the state's water table, which has dropped by an average of three feet annually since 2020.
The announcement comes as Arizona faces its 27th consecutive year of below-average rainfall. Critics, however, argue that the plan could stifle economic growth, particularly in the farming communities of Yuma County. The proposal will now head to the state legislature for review, with a vote expected within the next 60 days.