Chandler Water Resources Presentation

Chandler Water Resources 
& Drought Preparedness
Public Works & Utilities | Water Resources
City Council Work Session – April 10, 2023

Strategic Framework Direction
Sustainability and Technology
Embrace sustainable and global technology advancements by leading in the 
sustainability of water infrastructure and conservation.
Chandler’s high-tech industries, businesses and talented workforce drive 
the local economy. We recognize the importance of infrastructure, water 
and streamlined city services that support key industries engaged in the 
development of current and future technologies.

Agenda
• Chandler’s Water Supplies
• Salt & Verde Update
• Colorado River Update
• Challenges Ahead
• Chandler’s Unique Preparations
• Current actions
• Next Steps

Where Does Our Water Come From? 
Surface Water
• Salt & Verde Rivers (SRP)
• Colorado River (CAP)
• Roosevelt Water Conservation District (RWCD)
Groundwater
(Underground Aquifer)
Reclaimed Water
(Treated Wastewater)

Chandler’s Water Supplies
Annual Supply (AF)
Water Source
59,530
Salt and Verde Water (SRP)
38,755
Colorado River Water (CAP)
6,346 
Groundwater
104,631
Annual Drinking Water Supply
29,936
Annual Reclaimed Water Supply
57%
37%
6%
Salt and Verde
Colorado River
Groundwater
67%
27%
6%
GRIC Exchange
Direct Use
Aquifer Recharge
Projected Build-out Supply

Chandler Water Delivery Map
SRP + CAP
CAP
RWCD & CAP
Pecos 
SWTP
SRP Member Lands
OFF-Project Lands
Non-Member 
Lands

Salt and Verde River Watersheds
Chandler’s primary water supply comes from 
the Salt & Verde Rivers, stored in SRP reservoirs. 
SRP 
reservoirs 
are 
currently 
100% full

Salt and Verde Snowpack
Historic year: 2023 second deepest snowpack in 30 years! 
Reservoirs 100% full as of 3/22. Verde system spills as spring runoff increases.

SRP Spill Operations
Salt/Verde spill releases began March 2nd
and continue through April.
Horseshoe Dam – Verde River
Bartlett Dam – Verde River
SRP reservoirs are 100% full - “spill water” is released into the normally dry Salt River

Colorado River System
The Colorado River supplies approximately 37% of 
Chandler’s average annual drinking water

Colorado River Allocations
Basin
Amount
Upper Basin
7.5 maf
Lower Basin
7.5 maf
Subtotal
15.0 maf
Mexico
1.5 maf
Total
16.5 maf
•
Upper Basin:  Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, 
Wyoming 
•
Lower Basin: Arizona, California, Nevada
Lower Basin allocations: 
AZ (2.8 MAF)
CA (4.4 MAF)
NV (0.3 MAF)

Colorado River is pumped 800 
vertical ft. into a 7-mile tunnel 
near Lake Havasu
CAP Engineering: 14 pumps lift 
3,000 ft. total
CAP Storage: Lake Pleasant
CAP Canal: 336 miles
Delivery Supply: 1.5 million 
acre-feet
Central Arizona Project Canal

Colorado River Conditions
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) for 2023 is 152% of the 30-yr average.

Groundwater Supplies
• Chandler will access groundwater and 
stored water during surface water 
shortages
• 35 wells provide redundancy (73 MGD)
• 32 active wells
• 3 new wells (in-progress)
• 2 future well sites reserved
• Decades of well maintenance and 
careful planning

Chandler Reclaimed Water
Airport Water Reclamation Facility 
S. McQueen Rd.
E. Queen Creek Rd.
•
Infrastructure planning started in the 1980’s
•
Reclaimed system offers a new water supply, 
reducing demand for drinking water supplies
•
Distribution system delivers to over 360 direct 
use customers (~30,000 AF per year)
•
HOA’s, Golf Courses, Parks & Schools
•
Commercial and industrial users
•
Gila River Indian Community – agricultural users
•
Aquifer Recharge Facilities
Veterans Oasis Park – Recharge Facility

Water Reclamation Facility
Chandler Reclaimed 
Water Delivery Area

Future Challenges
Demand Management – Shifting away from water intensive landscapes, demand may 
become less responsive to incentive programs.
Water Quality – Adapting to shortage may require new treatment technologies.
The frequency and magnitude of shortages may be greater than previously anticipated

Shortage: it’s not a 
matter of if…it’s a 
matter of when!
Surface Water Shortages
•
2022 – First ever Colorado River shortage 
declared. Tier 1 Shortage (no reduction)
•
2023 – Tier 2 Shortage (3% reduction)
•
2024 – Tier 3 Shortage (18% reduction)
25,000
26,000
27,000
28,000
29,000
30,000
31,000
32,000
33,000
34,000
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Acre-Feet
Chandler's Colorado River Supplies
Projected Shortage
Projected Demand

back
System Conditions and Reliability
• Salt and Verde reservoirs 
recover quickly after dry 
years. Total system 
storage is highly variable 
year-to-year, but very 
reliable long-term.
• Colorado River storage 
has been declining over 
the past 25 years and is 
less reliable long-term.

Chandler is uniquely positioned to adapt to changes in water resource availability
What makes Chandler unique?
Learn more> Chandleraz.gov/drought

35 City Wells – 73 MGD Capacity 
(13.3 MGD used in 2022)
Groundwater Levels in Chandler
Groundwater monitoring began in 
2004
32 active wells with monitor stations 
(at well sites)
3 new wells in-progress
2 future well sites secured
94% of current well sites show rising 
water levels (or no change)

City Council approved an innovative partnership agreement with the Gila River 
Indian Community (GRIC) to lease and exchange water
Historic Water Rights Acquisition
Gila River Indian Community farm

Careful long-term planning has positioned Chandler well for economic growth
Planned for Growth

Allocation Policy Purpose
• Links Water Resource 
Planning to City’s 
Strategic Goals
• Provides better 
coordination among city 
departments

Allocation Policy - Impact
Additional 
water 
needed?

Chandler has been preparing for surface water shortages for decades
What are we already doing?
Recharge basins at Veteran’s Oasis Park

Insert Stage Matrix
Drought stages evaluate supply and implement additional conservation actions
Chandler’s Drought Plan
Drought 
Stages
Declared by
Trigger
Response
Stage 1
Water Resource 
Manager
A surface water shortage is 
predicted.
Drought public awareness campaign 
& expanded conservation messaging. 
Stage 2
Public Works &  
Utilities Director
SRP Supplies reduced by > 40%
and/or
CAP Supplies reduced by > 10%
Mandatory outdoor water use 
restrictions for municipal operations. 
Stage 3
City Manager
SRP Supplies reduced by > 50%
and/or
CAP Supplies reduced by > 15%
Voluntary outdoor water use 
reductions for businesses and 
residents and continuing mandatory 
reductions for municipal operations.
Stage 4
City Council
Conditions impacting the City’s 
ability to meet water demands
Mandatory outdoor water use 
restrictions for businesses, residents 
and municipal operations.
Note: Triggers could change as Chandler acquires additional supplies and/or drills additional wells

Conservation 
Program
2022 
Total
2022 
Water 
Saved
Program Description
Water Audits 
(Residential)
1,224
65.2 
million gal
Find and fix leaks, identify 
irrigation efficiencies
Water Audits 
(Commercial)
74
22.2 
million gal
Find and fix leaks, 
assistance with irrigation 
efficiency
Landscape 
Consultation 
(Residential)
78
4.2 
million gal
Assist with water smart 
landscaping.
Landscape 
Consultation
(Commercial)
10
13.4 
million gal
Assist with water smart 
landscaping.
Turf Removal 
Rebates
22
1.9 
million gal
Convert turf to xeriscape.
Smart Irrigation 
Controller 
Rebates
162
1.9 
million gal
Smart controllers adjust 
watering based on weather 
and soil
Chandler’s
Programs
Chandleraz.gov/SaveWater
*based on 2022 conservation program results

25 years of declining water use - Chandler cares about conservation!
Chandler Conserves
100
105
110
115
120
125
130
135
140
Residential Gallons Per Capita Daily
Chandler Residential Water Use
Possible meter error
Chandleraz.gov/SaveWater

Frequently updated information available online
Drought & Conservation Education
Chandleraz.gov/SaveWater
Chandleraz.gov/Drought

Groundwater Modeling
Interactive
•
Groundwater modeling - evaluated the local 
aquifer impacts of increased regional groundwater 
pumping
•
Two Scenarios -
1.
Moderate Pumping Scenario
(due to frequent Colorado River shortages)
2.
High Pumping Scenario
(due to severe and sustained Colorado River 
shortages)
•
Recovery of Stored Water - Well depth 
sufficient to recover stored water under sustained 
pumping
•
Physical Availability - Local aquifer is deep and 
productive

Tiered rates help to signal the value of water and encourage conservation
Tiered Rate Structure
•
Tiered Structure - First tier water is 
used for essential needs and costs less 
than water used in higher tiers for 
discretionary uses.
•
Efficiency - Customers who use water 
more efficiently are rewarded with 
lower rates
•
Regular Updates – Rates reviewed 
every other year to keep pace with 
costs. Cost of Service Study performed 
every five years.
Tier 
(Gal. Used)
Base 
Monthly 
Charge*
Single Family 
Inside City 
($/kgal)
Multi-Family 
Inside City 
($/kgal)
0 - 10,000
$9.26
$1.62
$0.89
10,001 – 20,000
$9.26
$2.11
$1.09
20,001 – 60,000
$9.26
$2.65
$1.49
60,000 +
$9.26
$3.31
$2.25
City of Chandler Water Rates (effective 7/1/2022)
*Base monthly charge for 5/8” meter

Expanded messaging - drought awareness, landscape rebates and outdoor water use tips
Conservation Public Awareness Campaigns

Recommended continued investment in water efficiency and regional partnerships
What’s Next?

Recommended new standards for outdoor landscaping and updated water rates and policies.
What’s Next? (cont.)

Optimize Water Quality – Invest in new water treatment technologies to maximize efficient and 
strategic use of Chandler’s water resources

Update Water Allocation Policy – Zoning changes that deviate from the water master plan

Messaging & Public Awareness Campaigns – Spring campaign begins April 24th

Stage Two of Chandler’s Drought Plan includes reductions to municipal operations
Drought Plan – Stage Two
•
Parks Irrigation Upgrades
•
Baseline irrigation controllers
•
Hiring two outside contractors for irrigation repairs 
(20 parks, 4 facilities, 14 fire stations, 6 right-of-way, 5 pools 
and Paseo trail)
•
Irrigation audits and water budgets
(Chuparosa, Desert Breeze, Espee, Folley, Nozomi, Pima, 
Shawnee, Snedigar, Paseo Vista)
•
Turf reduction efforts
•
8 -10 acres of turf conversion (grant funding required)
•
Stormwater retention basins

New infrastructure projects and agreements provide additional flexibility
Regional Partnerships and Infrastructure
Roosevelt Dam Flood Control Space
Five-year pilot program to optimize 
the use of Roosevelt flood control 
space. Opportunities for planned 
deviations from normal operations, 
extending from 20 days to 120 days.

Colorado River Basin Shortage Guidelines
Overallocation and long-term drought have resulted in historic 
low reservoir elevations and threaten critical infrastructure
Lake Mead – low reservoir conditions
• 2007 – Basin States & Mexico agree to 
shortage sharing guidelines (exp. 2026)
• 2019 – Basin States agree to the 
Drought Contingency Plan
• 2021 – Lower Basin 500+ Plan
• 2023 – Basin States Modeling Proposals
• 2024 – Possible Federal Action
• 2027 – New Operating Guidelines

Recommended new and updated water-wise rebate incentives
Conservation Rebate Programs
• Residential Grass Removal
•
Increase grass removal incentive from 
$0.20/sq. ft. $1/ sq. ft. removed
(current min. 1,000 sq. ft. – new min. 500 sq. ft.)
•
Eliminate new home rebate program                              
(lack of participation)
• New Commercial Rebate (Multi-family, HOA, Commercial)
•
New grass removal rebate – 25% of project, (up to $75,000)
min. 5,000 sq. ft
•
Non-functional grass removal – $3/sq. ft. (up to $25,000)
•
Water Efficient Technology Rebate – 50% of the cost 
(up to $10,000)
•
Smart Controller Rebate – 50% of the cost  (up to $3,000)

Questions?