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Tucson council adopts emergency ordinance to limit large new water users amid data‑center concerns
Summary
The City of Tucson passed an emergency ordinance on Aug. 19 creating new application and review rules for large water users, requiring conservation plans tied to Tucson Basin hydrology and six months of public engagement to refine rules for future large‑scale projects.
Tucson — The Tucson City Council on Aug. 19 adopted an emergency ordinance aimed at restricting large new water users while the city develops longer-term standards for major commercial and industrial projects.
Council members voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 12188, which adds new application requirements and review criteria to the Tucson code. Under the ordinance, any proposed large‑quantity water user must submit a water conservation plan that demonstrably benefits the Tucson Basin hydrology and will be reviewed for consistency with the city’s Climate Action Plan, Tucson Resilient Together, and the One Water 2100 plan. The Tucson Water director is required to consult the city’s chief resilience officer before making recommendations.
Mayor Regina Romero and council members described the ordinance as a stopgap measure to protect local water supplies after developers proposed large water‑intensive projects that raised public concern. Councilmember Nikki Lee, who moved the ordinance, said the city faced a legal and policy “vulnerability” that must be addressed quickly while staff and community members develop comprehensive rules.
The motion also directs the city manager, Tucson Water director and chief resilience officer to lead a six‑month public engagement process with the Citizens Water Advisory Committee and other stakeholders to refine the ordinance, collect technical input, and propose any revisions back to council. The adoption was framed as temporary guardrails while zoning and administrative-code edits go through Planning Commission and public review.
The ordinance passed 7–0. Council members said it responds to community concerns about proposed large developments that could consume significant water and energy and signaled parallel work on land‑use and energy rules.
What comes next: staff will begin the public outreach and technical review called for in the motion and return to council with proposals and potential code changes after the engagement period.
