Phoenix residents have been sweltering under another round of extreme desert heat this July with temperatures consistently reaching up to 41 degrees Celsius, about 106 degrees Fahrenheit, and barely any relief in sight. The city has been experiencing one of its driest stretches in recent history. According to coverage from KJZZ, it’s been months since Phoenix saw measurable rainfall, with the last significant rain registered way back on August 22 of last year, placing residents in a record-setting dry spell. Across Maricopa County, the National Weather Service has warned of severe to extreme drought, impacting both urban and rural communities.

Despite the drought, city officials and water resource leaders have assured residents that, for now, the water taps are not in immediate danger of running dry. Cynthia Campbell, who manages water resources for Phoenix, explained that the city’s current water supply isn’t at risk—yet. However, Campbell emphasized that persistent dry winters could change that outlook, adding that Phoenix is doubling down on advanced water purification by recycling wastewater back into drinking water through cutting-edge purification processes.

This level of caution isn’t unwarranted. The Old Farmer’s Almanac backs up the present reality with long-range forecasts, predicting July 2025 to continue hotter and significantly drier than average, with rainfall amounts expected at just about half an inch for the entire month, well below the usual. So far, only a handful of days this July have seen any rain, and those showers were brief and scattered.

Adding to the challenge, a housing and construction boom on the city’s western edge is vying for additional water resources. The city of Buckeye and planned developments like Teravalis are facing tough new standards and legal wrangling over water supplies. State law now requires that any new homes in these areas prove a 100-year renewable water supply before building, and a court battle is underway to challenge a recent ruling that local groundwater cannot be used for these assurances, as detailed by Circle of Blue.

In an effort to better manage this limited resource, just in the past few days Governor Katie Hobbs signed a landmark bill into law. This new legislation allows central Arizona farmers to sell their land and groundwater rights directly to developers, a move that aims to slow groundwater depletion and allow controlled growth. The measure was sparked by a moratorium that had halted new building in outlying areas like Buckeye unless developers could secure a long-term water supply. Supporters say the law will help preserve groundwater for future generations, while also providing a path forward for development and new housing, as covered by the Arizona Capitol Times.

Water quality across Phoenix remains stable, thanks to city investments in water recycling and the relative resilience of the municipal system, which draws from both surface water and deep aquifers. The city is continuing to expand its water recycling programs and is encouraging businesses and residents alike to adopt water conservation habits. As reported on Arizona PBS, recent state policies are also aiming to tighten oversight of suburban growth to avoid the kind of water crises that have hit smaller outlying communities.

So while the sun continues to blaze and the monsoon season looks tepid, city leaders are urging everyone to conserve where they can, stay hydrated, and keep an eye on further policy and technological changes that could reshape how everyone in Phoenix gets their water in the future.

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