Water Resources

Marana values the supply of Central Arizona Project (CAP) water we use to serve our vibrant community. We know recent discussions about reductions to CAP water supplies may leave you wondering what this means for the reliability of water service at your home or business.  Marana Water is actively preparing for these changes. Our team continually plans for and adapts to evolving Colorado River conditions to ensure that your water service remains reliable.

Issued alongside their August 2026 Record of Decision, the United States Bureau of Reclamation also released the Colorado River 2027-2028 Operating Guidelines. These guidelines provide the framework for how the Colorado River System will be operated and prioritize stabilization of the two primary reservoirs (Lake Powell and Lake Mead) as well as protection of the associated hydropower infrastructure. Based on conversations with Federal and State regulators, Marana is anticipating and planning for a 14% reduction to our CAP deliveries in 2027

In Marana, we are fortunate to have a variety of water sources available to continue reliable service today, tomorrow and for future generations. In 2024, the Town of Marana received our Designation of Assured Water Supply (DAWS) from the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) which totaled 15,353 acre-feet of water per year (AF/yr); that’s about 5 billion gallons of water per year! This represents the volume of water that ADWR determined we could reliably provide our community each year for the next 100 years. In 2025, Marana Water used about 3,700 acre-feet to serve our customers, or just under 25% of our total DAWS volume. Overall, CAP water only represents 15% of the volume in our DAWS portfolio.

The Town of Marana has faced persistent drought conditions for more than twenty years. The 2023 Drought Preparedness Plan (PDF, 2MB) provides the Town with a clear framework for monitoring drought indicators, managing water resources, implementing staged drought responses, and keeping the public informed. Building on prior planning efforts and updated water supply data, the plan ensures Marana is prepared to protect public health, support economic stability, encourage conservation, and meet regulatory requirements. It emphasizes responsible management of a diversified water portfolio, coordinated community action, and strong communication strategies that help safeguard Marana’s water future.

Current Drought Response Stage: Stage One

Under Stage One of our plan, Marana Water requests voluntary conservation, asking customers to reduce consumption by 5% through limiting landscape irrigation and avoiding outdoor water uses like misters and car washes when possible.