Coolidge Secures Century-Long Water Supply Assurance

Coolidge is facing critical water supply challenges affecting future development. Under the 100-year Assured Water Supply program, new subdivisions cannot be approved without demonstrating a sustainable water source for a century. Since 1995, this initiative has enabled the approval of over 1,200 subdivisions relying on groundwater, with 20 water providers recognized in the Phoenix and Pinal Active Management Areas (AMAs).

Mayor Jon Thompson highlighted concerns stemming from a recent report by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). The department’s models predict that groundwater in the Pinal AMA could become insufficient within 100 years. Consequently, no new Certificates of Assured Water Supply using groundwater have been approved since 2010, limiting growth.

Coolidge, part of the Pinal AMA, houses 50 of those subdivisions, representing around 15,000 lots. These subdivisions collectively require about 11,000 acre-feet of water annually, with one acre-foot serving about four homes per year. Since 2019, approximately 3,200 of those lots have seen development, contributing to a population growth rate of roughly 6% annually. Without intervention, the city’s population could double by 2035.

Currently, eight of the 50 subdivisions are fully built, while another eight are actively under construction. However, the remaining subdivisions may never materialize due to new regulatory pressures. The growing absence of available lots with 100-year water supply assurances poses significant risks to Coolidge’s development prospects.

Mayor Thompson advocates for reevaluating the existing 100-year Assured Water Supply regulations. He believes that changing these rules could provide local water providers a better chance to secure reliable water access for future developments. The mayor asserts that reform is crucial for Coolidge’s growth and urges community support for this initiative.

The Governor’s Regulatory Review Council will discuss these matters in a meeting scheduled for November 22. This virtual meeting will allow residents to voice their opinions on the proposed changes. Interested individuals can participate online or submit written comments to the council via email at grrccomments@azdoa.gov by November 21. Mayor Thompson encourages community involvement to emphasize the importance of a sustainable water supply for Coolidge’s future.

Jon Thompson serves as the mayor of Coolidge.