Overview
- Phoenix, which voted unanimously Wednesday, approved joining the Secure Water Arizona Program (SWAP) to create a formal mutual‑aid pact among cities.
- SWAP is a voluntary program meant to serve as both an emergency water‑sharing agreement and a testbed for new conservation projects that cities and companies can join.
- Program designers are discussing an emergency pool of water that would be available on a short timetable to keep taps flowing while a city secures longer‑term supplies.
- City officials say SWAP is open to new municipal and private partners but Phoenix officials are not aware of other cities having formally signed on yet even as Tucson works with Phoenix on the effort.
- Officials aim to have initial pieces running by Jan. 1, 2027, but key details on operational rules, legal water‑rights handling and transfer infrastructure still need to be worked out and publicly agreed.