Drought Dashboard

Building a water-resilient future is a shared responsibility. Phoenix has laid the groundwork with decades of planning and investment, but long-term resilience depends on the collective action of our entire community. Residents, businesses, HOAs, and institutions all play important roles as water users.

Here’s how you can help:

• Engage with Phoenix Water Conservation programs, including incentive programs, free water efficiency consultations, educational resources, and more.
• Stay informed. Learn about Phoenix’s water supply, drought conditions, and the Drought Management Plan so you understand how water shortages can be minimized. Follow our Water Flow Newsletter for frequent updates.
• Follow the 4 steps in the Phoenix Mayor’s Save Water Pledge, specifically designed to help you recruit the most water savings at home.
• Follow City water-use guidelines. During a Stage 1 Water Alert, Phoenix emphasizes conservation and will enforce water efficiency rules in City Code. Residents can participate by following these guidelines and reporting water waste.
• Share what you learn. Resilience grows when neighbors, families, and communities work together.

Drought is a long‑term reality in the desert Southwest, and historically low snowmelt in the headwaters of our regional and local surface water sources has increased the likelihood of future supply challenges. Because Phoenix’s surface water supply sources depend on snowmelt, reduced snowpack directly affects the amount of water available to the city.

Phoenix receives nearly 60% of its water from the Salt and Verde Rivers through the Salt River Project (SRP) and about 40% from the Colorado River through the Central Arizona Project (CAP). Only a small amount of groundwater (about two %) is used. Local impacts of global climate change have created reductions in the availability of these supplies.

Phoenix Water Services is committed to ensuring a reliable water supply today and for generations to come. Decades of strategic planning, resilient infrastructure investment, and responsible water management have built a strong foundation for adaptation in one of the nation’s largest cities.

The City’s long-term efforts include:

• Long-Term Water Planning: Ongoing investments in infrastructure and water resources secure Phoenix's water future.
• Conservation Programs: Programs are in place to help residents, businesses, and institutions reduce water use.
• Diversified Water Supply: Phoenix uses a mix of surface water, groundwater, and reclaimed water to meet demand.

See the pages below to learn more about infrastructure, supply planning, and more internal projects that support smart water management.

What is it?

The Drought Management Plan (DMP) guides Phoenix’s response to managing drought and water supply changes. Its purpose is to prevent water waste, protect public welfare and safety, and ensure responsible water use. Under Phoenix City Code Chapter 37 Article X, the Water Services Department Director may implement the drought management response procedure, including the DMP and associated Water Use Reduction Guidelines, when such actions are necessary to protect public welfare and safety.

The Drought Management Plan outlines four progressive stages of water use reductions:

• Stage 1 (Water Alert)
• Stage 2 (Water Warning)
• Stage 3 (Water Emergency)
• Stage 4 (Water Crisis).

The DMP and associated documents describe when, where, and how particular regulations within a water use reduction stage will be implemented and terminated.

What does it regulate?

Currently, no Phoenix Water customer may knowingly use or permit the use of water in violation of the drought management response procedure. If there is a violation of the drought management response procedure, the Director may take actions, including mandatory measures up to and including disconnection of service, and other enforcement actions as necessary to ensure compliance with the drought management response procedure.

The DMP is available to the public at the City Clerk’s office, the Department administrative offices, and on the City’s website.

Escalation from Stage 1 to Stage 2

The Director may declare a Stage 2 Water Warning when an insufficient water supply situation occurs due to water system or supply limitations or structural failure, or when a catastrophic incident limits the existing water supply or water delivery system.