Governor Katie Hobbs celebrated Arizona’s first Alternative Designation of Assured Water Supply (ADAWS) with EPCOR. ADAWS is a new pathway for communities to receive 100-year Assured Water Supply protections that saves groundwater and helps build more homes. This landmark achievement comes after years of work under Governor Hobbs’ leadership, including a rigorous and public stakeholder process conducted by the Governor’s Water Policy Council.
“This ADAWS Designation is going to save water, it is going to support sustainable economic growth, and it is going to create more housing,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “Today we are again demonstrating that Arizona can, and will, continue to grow our economy while protecting our water. When elected officials come together across party lines we can tackle the big problems that Arizonans face and get things done for the people of our state.”
“ADAWS allows greater flexibility for utilities to leverage their water portfolios – a pathway for water providers like EPCOR to support sustainable development with a nearly net-neutral impact on Arizona’s groundwater resources. At the same time, existing customers and established communities are assured that their water supply is protected,” said Shawn Bradford, Senior Vice President of Regulated US Water for EPCOR. “EPCOR is proud to have received the first alternative designation of assured water supply in Arizona’s history, and first Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA) designation in 25 years. We appreciate Governor Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Water Resources’ leadership as we enter a new era for Arizona water management.”…