The Arizona Department of Water Resources has approved a transportation order, allowing the City of Buckeye and the Town of Queen Creek to import groundwater from the Harquahala Groundwater Basin, marking the first such approval in the state's history.
The order authorizes Buckeye to withdraw up to 5,926 acre-feet of groundwater per year and Queen Creek up to 5,000 acre-feet annually from the basin, located in western Maricopa County, according to a city release. ADWR reviewed hydrological models and determined the withdrawals would not cause unreasonable harm to existing users. The Harquahala Basin contains more than 8 million acre-feet of groundwater.
“This approval from the Arizona Department of Water Resources unlocks another water supply that Arizona can use to support our communities, economy, and way of life,” said Gov. Katie Hobbs. “We will continue to develop creative solutions and new water supplies as we fight to protect our Colorado River water and the aquifers that Arizonans rely on.”
The decision follows recommendations made by the 2023 Governor’s Water Council and legislation signed into law in 2024. Senate Bill 1242 established new safeguards and reporting requirements for water use in the Harquahala Basin, which was designated as a groundwater transportation basin by the state legislature in 1991.
For Buckeye, the approval represents a key addition to its long-term water planning.
“This is a significant development for the city of Buckeye to ensure our current and future residents continue enjoying a great quality of life,” said Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn. “This agreement will support and expand the city’s water portfolio and ensure the sustainability of not only our community, but also the economic vitality of the region and the entire state of Arizona. Buckeye remains committed to providing safe, reliable water far into the future, and we are grateful for the hard work and coordination over the last few years to make this a reality.”
Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley stated that the project will help the town meet its future water demands.
“This is such an incredible milestone for Queen Creek and for the State,” Wheatley said. “This has been years in the making and will help further diversify the Town’s water portfolio with a more sustainable source of water that has been set aside for growth in the State. The Town has been, and continues to be, committed to providing safe, sustainable water for our community today and for future generations, and we are so appreciative of all the efforts that led to this monumental point.”
The order also allows the State Land Department to participate in future groundwater projects from the basin, generating potential revenue for the State Land Trust, which supports Arizona public schools.
Farmers in the Harquahala Basin, some of whom are transitioning from agriculture to renewable energy, also welcomed the decision.
“My family has been farming in Arizona for over 100 years,” said Dave Lamoreax, a farmer and landowner in the Harquahala Basin. “This critical milestone has been many decades in the making since the Harquahala Basin was designated in 1991 to provide water for future growth. It is exciting for us to support the Valley with water from our farm. This transportation approval benefits farmers, Queen Creek, Buckeye, and other communities that need reliable water to sustain our economy. This transition from farming to renewable energy was the long-term plan for this area and we are grateful to be a part of this process.”
Valley Partnership President and CEO Clark Princell called the decision a crucial step in managing the region’s water supply.
“We would like to congratulate ADWR, the city of Buckeye, and the city of Queen Creek on reaching this important milestone and thank them for the hard work and commitment over the many years it took to reach and finalize this agreement,” Princell said. “The groundwater being transported was set aside more than three decades ago for importation into the greater Phoenix region and today we are one step closer to doing just that. As the region continues to grow and prepare for its future this water will be utilized to ensure water providers continue to diversify their portfolios which is critical to providing their customers with the certainty that is our hallmark. We look forward to continuing to support similar thoughtful efforts as we move forward as a region and state to identify responsible and sustainable water solutions.”
Valley Partnership is the Phoenix area’s advocacy group for responsible development.
More information about the approval is available here.
