GOVERNMENT
SURFACE WATER SUPPLIES
Surface water from rivers like the Salt, Gila, Colorado and Hassayampa all have specific criteria that must be met before the city can use them. • SALT RIVER – Buckeye is not able to access water from the Salt River as we are not in the Salt River Project service area. • GILA RIVER – The Gila River has been completely allocated. The City of Buckeye does not possess any Gila River water rights. The city is able to utilize Gila River water through agreements with entities that are willing to partner with the city for use of their rights. • COLORADO RIVER – There are several types of Colorado River Water rights an entity can own. The city of Buckeye has two types of water allocations: • Municipal and Industrial (M&I) contract: 68 acre-feet per year, which decreases to 25 acre-feet per year after 2034. This right has been earmarked to the Sun City Festival golf course. • Non-Indian Agricultural (NIA) allocation: 2,786 acre-feet per year. In the event of shortage calls on the Colorado River, each of these rights are subject to temporary reductions or eliminations. • HASSAYAMPA RIVER – The Hassayampa is a dry river in Buckeye. The city is able to access groundwater in the Hassayampa basin only.
A DEEP DIVE Buckeye plans for growth amid water challenges, rate increases BY DAVID KENNARD T The Central Arizona Project canal brings water from the Colorado to Buckeye and other communities in the greater Phoenix area. The canal relies on pumping stations along its route to move water uphill from the Colorodo River. HE FASTEST-GROWING COMMUNITY IN THE WEST VALLEY, BUCKEYE IS TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT its water future—balancing continued development with long-term sustainability in an increasingly water-conscious region. City officials say Buckeye currently has enough water to support existing residents and projected growth for the next 15 to 20 years. However, beyond that window, new water supplies will need to be identified to meet demand, prompting ongoing planning efforts by the city’s Water Resources Department. “We recognize that our long-term needs will exceed our current supplies,” officials said, noting that the city updates its Integrated Water Resources Master Plan every five years to identify new opportunities and strategies.
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integrating that supply into Buckeye’s system will take years, but leaders call it a critical step toward sustainability. Reliance on groundwater and replenishment Despite its varied portfolio, Buckeye still depends heavily on groundwater. Nearly all homes are part of the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District, which uses property tax funding to replenish aquifers with non-groundwater supplies, including Colorado River water. State regulations from the Arizona Department of Water Resources limit how much groundwater the city can pump each year to prevent overuse and protect surrounding wells.
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A diverse water portfolio Much like an investment strategy, Buckeye relies on a diversified “water portfolio.” This includes groundwater, Colorado River allocations, reclaimed water, and long-term storage credits. While groundwater remains
the city’s primary source, officials are working to expand and integrate alternative supplies. One major investment is in the Harquahala region, where the city has secured rights to nearly 600,000 acre-feet of water—enough to support future generations. Transporting and
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InBuckeye.com | May/June 2026
May/June 2026 | InBuckeye.com
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