Overview
- A joint study by Arizona State, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University finds roughly 95% of precipitation is not captured and says reclaiming a small share of that loss could meaningfully increase the state’s water supply.
- Researchers profiled all 51 of Arizona’s groundwater basins and recommended a major expansion of surface‑ and groundwater monitoring so officials can track where rain and snow enter or leave the system.
- The report lays out practical options—siphons, small-scale capture, managed recharge and selective infrastructure upgrades—to store runoff that currently evaporates or runs off unused.
- Cities are already acting: Cave Creek is finalizing a water agreement with Peoria and Tempe is advancing upgrades at the Kyrene Water Reclamation Facility with steps to protect the nearby Los Guanacos archaeological site.
- Implementation will face legal and funding constraints because the Arizona Department of Water Resources lost two home‑building cases this year and Colorado River states are negotiating a prioritized list of projects that will compete for limited money and water rights.