10012025 CUAC Water Resources Update

City of Glendale — Regular Meeting (2025-10-01)

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Water Resources Update 
October 1, 2025

For Information and Discussion:
Glendale’s Water Supplies
Glendale’s Water Demands
Post-2026 Colorado River Negotiations 
Drought Mitigation Projects
Conservation Efforts
Next Steps
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Water Resources Topics

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Where does our water come from?
DIVERSE WATER SUPPLIES
Surface Water
Salt & Verde Rivers
Colorado River
Groundwater
 
Effluent 
(Reclaimed Water)

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Salt and Verde Rivers
Annual SRP Supply = 55,455 Acre-Feet

On-project = SRP 
member lands. 
Off-project = Does not 
include SRP member 
lands. 
• Primarily CAP water is 
served off-project.
• If SRP water is used, it 
needs to be replaced. 
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Salt River Project (SRP) On-/Off-Project
OASIS
CHOLLA

Up to 28,770 AF when the 
New Conservation Space 
(NCS) fills
Up to 5,500 AF if Flood 
Control Space (FCS) fills in 
2026, 2027, or 2028
NCS and FCS water can be 
used off-project.
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Additional Supplies via SRP System

SRP Watershed Conditions
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• Western Arizona experienced less 
than 30% of normal 
precipitation from the 2024 
monsoon season. 
• 55% full on SRP system 
compared to 81% last year at 
the same time.
• 2024-2025 Winter – below 
average precipitation
• More SRP groundwater added to 
the system to compensate for 
reduced flows.
AUG 27, 2025

SRP Watershed Conditions
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1922 Colorado River 
Compact split 15 million 
acre-feet (MAF) between 
the Upper and Lower Basin 
States. A separate 1944 
treaty allocated 1.5 MAF to 
Mexico.
Delivered via Central 
Arizona Project (CAP) 
canal to the Pyramid Peak 
Water Treatment Plant.
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Colorado River
Annual CAP Supply = 22,582 Acre-Feet

Winter 2024-2025 precipitation 
was average.
Spring runoff was below average.
Reservoirs are at a combined 37% 
full compared to 43% this time 
last year.
The Colorado River System is 
currently in a Tier 1 shortage and 
projected to remain in Tier 1 into 
2026.
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Current Colorado River Conditions
Colorado River Status
August 3, 2025
Total System Storage: 
22.72 MAF

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New Colorado River Operations in 2027
The current operating guidelines for 
the Colorado River expire in 2026. 
Ongoing negotiations between the 
Basin States.
The exact reductions to the Central 
Arizona Project are unknown at this 
time.
We are preparing for different water 
shortage scenarios.

Pumped from wells and treated onsite or at 
the Oasis Water Treatment Plant.
5 active City-owned wells.
Plus 5 wells in design/construction or planned
City uses 7 SRP-owned wells.
Plus 2 wells under construction
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Groundwater
Annual Groundwater Allocation = 7,525 Acre-Feet

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Glendale Effluent Production and Use
Glendale Effluent: 9,217 AF
o Recharge accounted for 70% of effluent use
o Reuse accounted for 30% of effluent use
2024 Effluent Production = 17,914 Acre-Feet
91st Avenue WWTP: 8,696 AF
o
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS) 
o
Tres Rios Wetlands

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Long-Term Storage Credits in 2023 
Total: 
230,072.66

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2024 Glendale Total Potable Water Use
Central Arizona Project (CAP) - 47%
Salt River Project (SRP) - 51%
Groundwater (GW) - 2%
51%
47%
2%
CAP
2024 Total Water Use = 40,590 acre-feet
2023 Total Water Use = 37,477 acre-feet
2022 Total Water Use = 38,699 acre-feet
SRP
Groundwater

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Potable Water Use from 2015 to 2024
 -
 50,000
 100,000
 150,000
 200,000
 250,000
 -
 5,000
 10,000
 15,000
 20,000
 25,000
 30,000
 35,000
 40,000
 45,000
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Acre-feet
Population
Estimated Service Area Population and Potable Water Use 2015 - 2024
Potable Deliveries
 Estimated Service Area Population

Colorado River System Conservation & 
Compensation
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$2.8M
$400K
GOAL
$1.6M
$2.8M
GOAL

Well 
Construction
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Drought Mitigation Projects
Verde River Sedimentation 
Mitigation Project
Advanced Water 
Purification
Zone 4 Well

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Water Conservation Rebates Expanded 
in FY 23

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Water Conservation Rebates Since FY23
190
146
131
72
53
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REBATES PROCESSED
REBATE TYPES

Continue outreach to community and promote water conservation rebates.
Monitor Colorado River conditions for potential impacts to Glendale’s 
supplies.
Begin update to City’s Drought Management Plan for post-2026 Colorado 
River operating guidelines.
Invest in cost-effective projects that create resilience in Glendale’s water 
portfolio. 
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Next Steps

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Thank you. Questions?

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