Buckeye and Queen Creek can now access groundwater from a farming area in western Phoenix.
The move comes after officials from the Department of Water Resources approved the first-ever legal transfer of water from rural Arizona to cities.
The agreement will allow the communities of Buckeye and Queen Creek to withdraw up to 5,926 acre-feet per year and 5,000 acre-feet per year, respectively from the Harquahala basin.
Still, the question remains as to whether this is a permanent solution.
Sarah Porter is the director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University. She says this inter-basin transfer isn't a total answer to ensuring that Arizona has enough water to continue to grow.
"Increasingly, I think there's a recognition that we need to find some other water supplies."
The agreement is authorized for up to 110 years, enough to serve more than 30,000 homes.
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On Sept. 8, KJZZ water reporter Alex Hager presented your questions and concerns to a panel of experts.
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Officials say the new plan is like digging in the "couch cushions" for promises to save Colorado River water, but compensation from the Arizona Water Banking Authority could help reach a larger goal. -
Arizona is still working on a deal with California and Nevada to spread out the pain of cutbacks, but they are still figuring out which cities and farms will use less water. -
Plans for a massive film studio and retail complex in Tonopah also include a large-scale data centerThe developer, Anita Verma-Lallian, says it could be the largest film studio in the country. -
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency ahead of what is expected to be a Super El Niño. That extra water presents challenges and opportunities to an area in the midst of ongoing drought.
