As negotiations over the Colorado River's dwindling water supply remain deadlocked, Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ) is making sure Arizona cities that have done the work don't get left behind, starting with a $1 million federal investment in Chandler's water infrastructure.
Rep. Stanton secured the funding to help construct a new drinking water well in the city, a direct boost to East Valley families who depend on reliable, long-term water access.
For Stanton, the investment isn't just about one well; it's a recognition of the kind of forward-thinking water management that he believes should be shaping the broader national conversation.
"One huge feather in our cap has been the smart investments from cities like Chandler," Stanton said. "We are making historic improvements in our ability to conserve water."
Chandler's Preparation
Chandler has spent decades building exactly the kind of resilient water system that other cities are now scrambling to develop. Unlike many Arizona municipalities that are heavily reliant on the Colorado River, Chandler draws about 57% of its drinking water from the Salt and Verde rivers.
On top of that, the city has spent years storing water underground, accumulating enough reserves to sustain the community for an estimated 20 to 30 years if surface water deliveries were to fall significantly.
Since the 1980s, Chandler has also recycled treated wastewater for irrigation, industrial applications, and aquifer replenishment.
That preparation has paid off. When the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation declared the first-ever Colorado River shortage in 2022, a status that has continued through 2024, Chandler was already operating under a drought preparedness plan and had contingency supplies in place.
Recent Negotiations
Stanton has been vocal that federal water negotiations must account for this kind of leadership. He called current river-allocation proposals "not acceptable" and "not in the best interest of Arizona," and pushed for an agreement that rewards conservation-minded communities.
With new shortage-sharing guidelines set to take effect in 2027, and river flows projected to keep declining, the congressman argues that Chandler's model isn't just admirable, it's the blueprint the entire Southwest needs to follow.
