The Central Arizona Project: How Phoenix Gets Its Water

It’s almost miraculous when you turn on a faucet in Phoenix, Arizona, and clean water flows out. Phoenix sits in the middle of one of the world’s largest deserts, where water is scarce. Yet, the city’s 3.25 million residents have access to the water they need, thanks in large part to the Central Arizona Project (CAP).

Let’s take a closer look at how the CAP brings water to Arizona’s population centers and how it has shaped the future of water access in the Southwest.

Key Takeaways

• Phoenix, located in a desert, relies heavily on water from the Colorado River to sustain its population.
• The Central Arizona Project (CAP) transports water from the Colorado River to Arizona’s major cities, including Phoenix and Tucson.
• CAP was made possible by the Colorado River Basin Project Act of 1968, a significant bipartisan effort to secure Arizona’s water future.

Now, let’s explore how Arizona shares water with its neighbors and the history of the Central Arizona Project.

Sharing Water with Our Neighbors

The Colorado River is a vital source of water for the Southwest, delivering much-needed water to Arizona, California, and Nevada—states known as the Lower Colorado River Basin States. After years of debate over water rights, the United States Supreme Court issued a decree in 1952, dividing the river’s water among these states.

Here’s how the water is divided:

• California receives the largest share at 4.4 million acre-feet per year.
• Arizona gets 2.8 million acre-feet per year.
• Nevada receives 300,000 acre-feet per year.

While Arizona’s share of the water is significant, the challenge was getting that water to the state’s largest cities, which are far from the Colorado River.

Bringing Water to Arizona’s Population Centers

The Colorado River flows across Northern Arizona, but Arizona’s major population centers—Phoenix and Tucson—are located in the south. To solve this problem, the Central Arizona Project (CAP) was developed as a way to deliver Arizona’s share of Colorado River water to its southern cities.

The CAP was made possible by the Colorado River Basin Project Act of 1968, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The project was championed by local Arizona senator Ernest McFarland, who was instrumental in bringing the concept to life. Construction of the CAP began in 1973, and it quickly became one of the state’s most celebrated bipartisan achievements.

Leaders from both political parties worked together to ensure Arizona would have a bright future with a secure and reliable water supply for its growing population.

Final Thoughts: Securing Arizona’s Water Future

The Central Arizona Project is a vital infrastructure system that allows Arizona to access and use its share of Colorado River water, ensuring that the residents of Phoenix and Tucson have the water they need to thrive. This monumental project is a testament to the importance of collaboration and long-term planning in securing Arizona’s future.

At Parker & Sons, we understand the critical role water plays in Arizona’s daily life. Whether you need help with plumbing, water treatment, or water conservation solutions, our experts are here to assist.