Queen Creek, Arizona — Arizona's long-term water security faces mounting pressure as state funding for new water supplies continues to shrink and Colorado River negotiations between the seven basin states remain at an impasse, with federal intervention now looming, according to state officials and water advocates.
Queen Creek, located in the southeast Phoenix metro area and spanning the Maricopa-Pinal county line, has a population of approximately 70,000 and is one of Arizona's fastest-growing communities — making long-term water supply planning critical to the town's continued growth and the daily lives of its residents.
The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona, which was funded with $1 billion in 2022 to develop long-term water sources, has seen about two-thirds of that money clawed back in subsequent budget sweeps. The current state budget takes another $20 million from WIFA's water supply development fund, though it does not touch the long-term water augmentation fund. A coalition of more than 30 groups — including the Central Arizona Project, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, and the Homebuilders Association of Central Arizona — wrote to Governor Katie Hobbs in May urging protection of WIFA's remaining funds.
"We as a state need to show that we are seriously working to come up with new supplies to help offset reductions to the Colorado River. We're definitely behind. We're not as far along as we should be," said Warren Tenney, executive director of the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association.
Governor Hobbs told reporters on June 25 that upper basin states have "consistently refused to come to the table with real solutions" and warned that Arizona "will end up taking the largest shortages, no matter what happens." The state budget includes a $6 million appropriation into a litigation fund for potential legal action, though Hobbs said there is nothing to litigate yet. A decision from the U.S. Department of Interior is expected soon.
