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Tempe says water portfolio and reclaimed supplies will meet demand despite Colorado River uncertainty
Summary
City staff told council Tempe’s water portfolio — dominated by Salt River Project supplies — and planned reclaimed-water sources should allow the city to meet demand even under several Central Arizona Project (CAP) shortage scenarios; staff noted planning assumptions and potential CAP allocation reductions in 2027 and beyond.
Public Works Director Tara Ford and Deputy Public Works Director Craig Caggiano briefed council on Tempe’s water resources, the city’s planning scenarios for expected Colorado River supply changes and local measures to maintain service.
Caggiano said renewable surface water from the Salt River Project (SRP) provides roughly 90% of Tempe’s typical annual supplies and explained that other sources — Central Arizona Project (CAP) deliveries, long-term storage credits, Roosevelt New Conservation Space (NCS) and groundwater recovery — supplement non-SRP member demands. “Renewable surface water from SRP provides about 90% of Tempe's water supplies,” he said.
He reviewed three planning scenarios for 2027 that range from status quo to severe CAP reductions, and said that in each model Tempe still maintains sufficient supplies to meet community demands, though CAP allocations are likely to be reduced. Caggiano noted that the federal operating agreement for the Colorado River expires in 2026 and that storage in Lake Mead and Lake Powell is very low, creating substantial uncertainty about future CAP deliveries.
The city is also counting on reclaimed water when the Kyrene Water Reclamation Facility rehabilitation is complete (rehab finish late 2027; reclaimed water available in 2028) to create new supplies or long-term storage credits. Caggiano highlighted local conservation efforts and the updated drought resiliency and planning document (updated 2025). When Councilmember Grama asked how many years of supply Tempe has, Caggiano replied, “100 years.”
Ford and Caggiano encouraged continued regional coordination — Tempe, Chandler, Mesa and Gilbert all share exposure to Colorado River shortages — and noted the Water Conservation Program’s rebates and resources for residential and nonresidential users.
