The 1980 Groundwater Management Act requires cities demonstrate they have a 100-year assured water supply (renewable water resources) for any proposed new development. The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) designated the City of Chandler as having an Assured Water Supply (Designation) in 1997 and approved a modification of Chandler’s Designation in 2010. Chandler’s current Designation demonstrates sufficient renewable water supplies to meet current and projected demands through 2025.
Since the 2010 Designation, Chandler has secured additional renewable water supplies. A 2016 agreement with the Gila River Indian Community added 6,220 acre-feet per year (af/yr) of Colorado River water and a settlement agreement with the White Mountain Apache Tribe will add 4,597 af/yr of Colorado River water when it becomes enforceable, within the time frame of this designation. This additional 10,817 af/yr will meet the daily water demands of approximately 87,000 residents. An application to modify Chandler’s Designation will be submitted to incorporate these additional renewable water supplies and update projected demands. The average annual drinking water supply available is 123,299 af/yr, with a build-out drinking water demand of 101,465 af/yr.
The deadline for approval of this modification is calendar year 2025. Chandler is submitting this application early because the City has secured the water supplies needed to meet build-out demands and to allow sufficient time for ADWR review. The requested term of 15 years is recommended by ADWR and will begin once the modification is approved. Once approved, this modification will demonstrate Chandler has acquired sufficient renewable water supplies to meet current and projected demands through build-out. The Arizona Assured Water Supply statutes require the City of Chandler submit a resolution of its governing body authorizing the City Manager to sign the application.
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