Prescott Valley is set to enhance its water management strategies with an innovative stormwater recharge project aimed at improving local water sustainability. During the recent Community Town Meeting, Utilities Director Neil Wadsworth outlined plans to implement a unique technology called Parzana, designed to increase the infiltration of stormwater into the ground, addressing the challenges posed by the area's clay soils.

The project will involve constructing two basins in the Pronghorn area, one serving as a control and the other equipped with the Parzana technology. This approach aims to significantly boost the rate at which water penetrates the soil, potentially increasing it by tenfold. The initiative is crucial for managing water resources in Arizona, where rainfall can be unpredictable, and evaporation rates are high.

Funding for the project includes a combination of a $670,000 grant and loan, with 40% of the total amount being a forgivable grant. This financial support underscores the project's importance and the collaboration with the Salt River Project, a major water provider in Arizona, which will also contribute to the initiative.

In addition to the stormwater project, the meeting highlighted Prescott Valley's commitment to diversifying its local economy beyond housing growth. The town is actively promoting various industries and retail amenities, exemplified by the success of local businesses like PB Bark, which benefited from the Moonshot program—a business competition akin to Shark Tank.

As Prescott Valley moves forward with these initiatives, residents can expect improved water management and a more vibrant local economy, reinforcing the town's dedication to sustainable growth and community development.