Arizona's Rural Growth Taxing Water Supplies

The Arizona Republic reports that rapid development in rural Arizona areas is threatening those areas water supplies. Arizona's rural population, which doubled to more than 1 million people in the last 25 years, is projected to grow by an additional 500,000 in the next 25 years. The article concentrates on the fact that Rural Arizona is not part of the Active Groundwater Management Area and therefore does not need to meet the assured water supply criteria that urban areas have in place. The result is that many communities have to drill wells to pump water, or have it hauled in. Areas such as Mohave County, Coconino County and Yavapai County have all seen rapid growth, which according to the article is putting a strain on existing groundwater supplies.

Very interesting article that you should read if you are doing business in the rural parts of the state. More...