Mesa's water staff are set to brief the City Council on Sept. 17 on the city's water portfolio as the Colorado River keeps shrinking. In a presentation on Mesa's water supplies, the staff materials say Lake Mead is at 27% and Lake Powell at 23%, and a federal Record of Decision and 2027–2028 operating guidelines adopted Aug. 21, 2026 set the rules beginning in 2027. Those guidelines call for a 1.25 million acre-foot annual Lower Basin reduction, with Arizona's share at 760,000 acre-feet. (An acre-foot is a standard measure for very large amounts of water.)

Surprise's council will consider an amendment to the Willow Trails Water Agreement, listed as Resolution 2026-104 for District 1, and Chandler's council agenda carries a job order agreement with Achen-Gardner Construction for up to $1,999,983.29 to remove and replace water pipe on Erie Street west of Alma School Road — about 3,000 feet of pipe ranging from 4 to 8 inches in diameter.

Big water users are in the spotlight too. Scottsdale will hear a proposal for a large water user ordinance and may give staff direction on it. Avondale's Sustainability Commission gets an update on the Colorado River shortage from water resource manager Cole Pihl, along with a standing sustainability update.

Tempe's Aviation Commission will also hear Sky Harbor updates, a NASA report on UAM noise and recent fuel dumping incidents. Together, the week shows Valley cities planning for less river water, fixing old pipes, and writing new rules for their biggest water users.

Stay Informed

Mesa City Council — September 17, 2026

  • Hear a presentation and discussion on Mesa's Water Supplies including Mesa's water portfolio, recent federal action (Bureau of Reclamation Record of Decision and Operating Guidelines), Colorado River supplies, and future investments.: Mesa's water staff are scheduled to brief the council on the city's water portfolio as the Colorado River keeps shrinking — the staff presentation materials say Lake Mead is at 27% and Lake Powell at 23%. A federal Record of Decision and 2027–2028 operating guidelines adopted Aug. 21, 2026 call for a 1.25 million acre-foot annual Lower Basin reduction, with Arizona's share at 760,000 acre-feet, and the materials say Mesa must continue preparing for less certainty in Colorado River supplies. View item

SURPRISE-CC — September 15, 2026

  • District 1 - Consideration and action authorizing the Mayor and Council to accept the First Amendment to the Willow Trails Water Agreement. Resolution 2026-104.: The council will consider accepting a first amendment to the Willow Trails Water Agreement for District 1, listed as Resolution 2026-104 and presented by staff from Water Resource Management. The published agenda text does not spell out the contract terms, and the staff report is not yet available. View item

Chandler City Council — September 14, 2026

  • Job Order Project Agreement with Achen-Gardner Construction, LLC, for the Erie Street Water Main Replacements Located on Erie Street, west of Alma School Road: Chandler would hire Achen-Gardner Construction, LLC to remove and replace roughly 3,000 linear feet of ductile iron water main on Erie Street, west of Alma School Road, with pipe sizes from 4 to 8 inches. The job order caps the price at $1,999,983.29 and gives the contractor 180 calendar days from the notice to proceed to finish. View item

AVONDALE-SUSTAINABILITY — September 23, 2026

  • UPDATES FROM THE COLORADO RIVER SHORTAGE – COLE PIHL, AVONDALE WATER RESOURCE MANAGER: Avondale Water Resource Manager Cole Pihl will brief the commission on the newest Colorado River water cuts and where Avondale stands. The item is a presentation and discussion, with no vote listed. View item
  • SUSTAINABILITY UPDATES: A standing sustainability update for the commission. The agenda lists no specific topics and says the item is for discussion only. View item

Scottsdale City Council — September 22, 2026

  • Receipt of Citizen Petitions: Scottsdale's Sept. 22 agenda includes a Work Study Session item on creating a Large Water User Ordinance — a presentation by the city's water, planning and economic development directors, with possible direction to staff on new rules for the city's biggest water users. The same agenda packet also carries the council's regular item 19, receipt of citizen petitions, which lets any council member move to act on a petition. View item

Tempe City Council — September 16, 2026

  • ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND/OR DECISION: Tempe's Aviation Commission will hear an update on Sky Harbor, a summary of a NASA report on UAM noise, and a discussion of recent aircraft fuel dumping incidents. It is an environmental-quality item near the airport — no city water program action is listed. View item