Prescott staff outline draft long-term water management plan, target draft mid-2026

Prescott City staff presented an update Nov. 18 on a draft long-term water management plan that will combine groundwater, reclaimed (effluent) and surface supplies and model how those resources meet projected demand.

At a study session Mayor Goode and council members heard that consultants Herb Dischlop (consultant), Matrix New World and Corolla Engineering will run hydrology and infrastructure scenarios and that the city aims to have consultants contracted and a kickoff meeting in early 2026. "We need a plan," said Brian Reese, the city's water resource manager, summarizing the objective to address time horizons from tomorrow to 50 years.

Why it matters: staff tied the planning timetable to an awarded Bureau of Reclamation grant that requires a final report by Dec. 2026; staff said a draft report is expected in July–August 2026. The plan will inform future council choices on growth, codes and water policy and will account for binding obligations such as intergovernmental agreements and the city's role in an Indian water‑rights settlement.

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