Drought Preparedness
Colorado River Shortage Overview
The United States Bureau of Reclamation has declared the Colorado River will remain in a Tier 1 shortage for 2025. Arizona will face a 512,000 acre-foot reduction (18% of the state's annual allocation). Glendale is prepared for the Tier 1 shortage, and it will not impact our ability to meet the water needs of our customers.
Colorado River Shortage Tier 1 for 2025
Glendale is Prepared for Drought
The Southwestern United States, including Arizona, has been in a drought for more than 23 years. This has greatly impacted the Colorado River system including Lake Mead and Lake Powell. The Colorado River represents approximately 36% of Arizona’s collective water supply and approximately 40% of Glendale's water supply.
Glendale has known for many years our Colorado River supplies could be cut and we have been preparing for this shortage for decades and will continue to do so. These preparations include:
- Securing in a diverse and robust water portfolio that includes renewable surface water, groundwater, and reclaimed water supplies
- Using reclaimed water to conserve potable water supplies
- Decreased reliance on groundwater
- Storing water underground for future use
- Investing in infrastructure, including wells to pump groundwater when surface water supplies may be reduced
- Supporting water conservation through ordinances and codes; developing conservation-based water rates; and offering an effective Water Conservation Program for people of all ages
While Glendale has a safe, secure, and reliable water supply now, we all need to continue to do our part to use water wisely. We know that water is precious in the desert and that every drop counts. Water conservation makes sense in the desert Southwest!
Stage 1 Drought Watch
(PDF, 1MB)
June 17, 2022
Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps has declared a Stage 1 Drought Watch of the city’s Drought Management Plan. During Stage 1, Glendale will target a 5% water-reduction goal at municipal properties. The city is also asking residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water. There are no mandatory water restrictions for residents and businesses in Stage 1.
Community Corner: Being Water Smart
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Glendale's water come from?
The City uses renewable surface water supplies from reservoirs on the Salt, Verde, and Colorado rivers. These reservoirs typically have runoff from winter snowpack that refill or renew the water supplies on a yearly frequency. The Salt River Project (SRP) operates the reservoirs and water deliveries on the Salt and Verde watersheds. The Central Arizona Project (CAP) delivers water stored in Lake Mead and Lake Powell from the Colorado River watershed.
The City also stores water underground in groundwater recharge projects that can be withdrawn by wells in the future for water supplies. Additionally, Glendale can use groundwater received through a 100-year allocation from the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
- Salt River Project (SRP): 43% – Surface water from rain and snow runoff from the Salt and Verde River watersheds.
- Central Arizona Project (CAP): 44% – Surface water from rain and snow runoff from the Colorado River watershed.
- Groundwater: 7% – Water pumped from underground wells.
- Reclaimed Water: 6% – Treated, recycled wastewater for non-potable use (landscape, industrial, and groundwater recharge). Virtually 100% of the city’s wastewater is put to these beneficial uses.
Does Glendale have enough water resources for a growing community?
Strategic investments in securing long-term and renewable water resources have allowed the city of Glendale to earn and maintain a 100-year Designation of Assured Water Supply (DAWS) from the state of Arizona. This designation ensures residents, businesses, and investors that there are sufficient water resources for land being considered for purchase or lease within the city’s water service area. Glendale has a 100-year water supply for all existing and planned developments within the city’s water service area and can build the necessary distribution and treatment facilities to deliver high-quality water to a growing community.
Frequently Asked Questions about Drought
What is drought?
Drought is defined as an extended period of below normal precipitation on a watershed. Cycles of drought and surplus conditions in regional water supplies are a normal occurrence.
Is Glendale experiencing drought?
The Southwestern United States, including Arizona, has been in a drought for more than 22 years. This prolonged drought has reduced the amount of annual runoff from watersheds and surface water stored in reservoirs.
Are there any water use restrictions in Glendale?
No. Glendale has sufficient water resources to meet customers’ needs. The City has a comprehensive Drought Management Plan(PDF, 2MB) to deal with potential water shortages caused by drought. This plan consists of five stages, where each stage increases in severity and implements additional water use reduction measures. The first three stages call for voluntary water use reductions and the last two stages call for mandatory water use reductions.
Glendale is currently in a Stage 1 Drought Watch. During Stage 1, Glendale will target a 5% water-reduction goal at municipal properties. The City is also asking residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water.
Is there a shortage of Central Arizona Project (CAP) water?
In August 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced a Tier 1 shortage of Colorado River operations for 2025. At this tier, Arizona will continue to forego Colorado River water, with most of the reductions falling to central Arizona agricultural users. There is no direct impact to the water supplies for cities, residential water users, and Native American Indian Tribes.
Is there a shortage of Salt River Project (SRP) water?
Currently, there is no shortage of SRP water.
What is the City doing?
Since Glendale declared a Stage 1 – Drought Watch, city departments have reduced water use by 19 percent, superseding the 5 percent reduction target set in the Drought Management Plan.
- The Water Services Department converted almost an acre of non-functional grass into a low-water-use landscape.
- The Community Services Department performed water-efficiency assessments and repaired leaks at 155 residential units.
- The Field Operations Department converted nearly two acres of grass to xeriscape at the city landfill.
- The Transportation and Parks and Recreation Departments installed weather-based irrigation controllers at various city right-of-way areas and parks.
- The Parks and Recreation Department consulted with a contractor to obtain costs to convert 10 acres of turf to a low-water-use landscape.
- The Parks and Recreation Department conducted in-house training for their irrigation team to provide them with education on the department’s irrigation standards, drought management program, and implementation of base watering schedules.
Additional Resources