Phoenix to Add Drought Surcharge for Largest Water Users From January, Expected to Raise $40 Million a Year
The City of Phoenix announced new water conservation rules on November 10: starting in January 2027, the city will move to Stage 2 drought restrictions and levy a surcharge on the residential and commercial customers who use the most water, expected to raise about $40 million a year to subsidize turf removal, smart irrigation controllers and other conservation measures. Mayor Kate Gallego said Phoenix faces pressure from Colorado River supply cuts; under federal directives on preserving water and hydropower, Phoenix's Colorado River allocation will be reduced by 20% to 30%.
About 40% of Phoenix's water comes from the Colorado River via the Central Arizona Project, and the city has about 1.7 million residents. The city is asking all residents and businesses to voluntarily cut use by 5%, with city departments targeting 10%. Under the new rules, only customers using more than 20 units a month — 14,960 gallons — will pay the surcharge, on the excess only, at $2.10 per unit per month. The average Phoenix household uses 11 units a month, about 8,228 gallons, so most households will not be affected.
Water Director Brandi Kelso and Deputy Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington presented the plan at a November 10 City Council policy meeting; the exact start date has not been finalized. Phoenix has had a drought management plan since 1990, and officials called this the city's toughest conservation action in years, saying large users will be notified in advance to help them adjust their habits.
Source: The Arizona Republic
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：凤凰城亚利桑那瀑布（运河水景）标识。图片来源：Wikimedia Commons，Dru Bloomfield 摄，CC BY 2.0。 Image: The Arizona Falls sign in Phoenix, a canal-side water feature. Source: Wikimedia Commons, photo by Dru Bloomfield, CC BY 2.0.
