Phoenix Housing Construction Resumes After Water Moratorium
A significant obstacle too Phoenix-area housing construction has been removed. EPCOR, the water company, now has approval to build up to 60,000 new homes in Buckeye, Surprise, and other parts of Maricopa County, one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions.
This is the first time in over two years the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) has lifted any part of its moratorium on new subdivisions relying on groundwater. The ADWR issued the moratorium in June 2023, determining the Phoenix area’s aquifer lacked sufficient water to support planned developments for 100 years, as mandated by the 1980 Groundwater Management Act. High Country News reporting revealed that the moratorium halted construction on even more homes than initially reported.
Earlier this month, EPCOR secured approval to proceed with housing through a new “alternative designation” process. This allows groundwater-using subdivisions to be built if they commit to importing renewable water supplies. These developments must then reduce their groundwater usage by 25% once the renewable water is available.Other water providers in the Phoenix area are anticipated to pursue this new designation.
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