City of Buckeye approved purchase of $80m worth of ground water rights to support water growth

Barbara Wilson / Monty Castillo

In a Special Session meeting, Buckeye City Council approved the purchase of $80m worth of ground water rights from Harquahala Valley Landowners.  These rights will allow the City of Buckeye to withdraw 5926 acre-feet of ground water annually for 100 years.  This is equivalent to the annual water use of nearly 18,000 homes in Arizona.  It should be noted that three Arizona households on average use one acre-foot of water per year.

The City of Buckeye will use proceeds from the sale of $80m excise tax bonds to pay for the water rights which will be repaid through the city’s general fund.  Other West Valley communities as well as Buckeye are continuously working to increase their water supplies for future developments.  

It should be noted that in 2021, the City of Buckeye had adequate water resources to sustain growth for the next 20 years.  Buckeye does rely heavily on groundwater and has always been aware that it needed additional water resources.  Also in 2021, Buckeye approved acquiring 2786 acre-feet annually of Non-Indian Agricultural Colorado River water which started in 2022.

Buckeye is not only one of the fasted growing communities in Arizona but in the country.  Let us know what you like to do in the City of Buckeye by leaving a comment below.  

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