O R O VA L L E Y W AT E R U T I L I TY N E W S L E T T E R
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A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Navigating the Colorado River Post 2026 Record of Decision On August 21, 2026, the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) officially finalized the Record of Decision outlining the highly anticipated Post-2026 Operational Guidelines for the Colorado River. This milestone follows years of intense negotiations among the Basin states to protect the long-term stability of Lake Mead and Lake Powell amid a historic 26-year drought. The BOR’s guidelines establish a 10-year decision framework (2027–2036) with emphasis on the next 2-years. For 2027 and 2028, the Lower Basin states (Arizona, California, and Nevada) will absorb a collective reduction of roughly 20% of their total annual water supply from the river. Because Arizona bears a substantial share of these basin-wide reductions, the utility’s latest estimates project a 14% reduction in our annual Central Arizona Project (CAP) allocation starting in January 2027.
Peter Abraham, P.E. Water Utility Director
Why Oro Valley is Prepared
Moving Forward Together
Fortunately, decades of forward-thinking management and proactive planning ensures that the cuts will not alter your water availability. Our confidence in facing these reductions stems from the following:
Even with a 14% reduction built into our permanent planning models, Oro Valley possesses a fully sustainable water supply capable of supporting our community through its projected future build-out.
• A “Healthy” CAP Allocation: Because our total allocation exceeds our total demand, a 14% cut only reduces the excess water we would normally store underground; it does not touch the water needed for your taps. • D ecades of Underground Storing: For years, Oro Valley has purchased its full CAP allocation and stored excess water underground in regional aquifers. This long-term “banking” strategy gives us a robust credit supply to draw upon if future CAP water allocations continue to shrink. • A Balanced Portfolio: Oro Valley does not rely on a single water source. Our physical supply is balanced between groundwater, CAP water and reclaimed water for turf irrigation. • C ollaborative Partnerships: The Utility maintains agreements with the Arizona Water Bank, Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District and other water service providers throughout Arizona to ensure our capacity to provide reliable water supplies for generations.
We all play a part in securing our water future. How YOU direct the Town’s policy makers and how YOU use water dictates our future success. The Colorado river is changing, but thanks to decades of smart water portfolio management, infrastructure investments and your continued dedication to conservation. The future of Oro Valley’s water supply remains resilient and secure.
Looking forward,
Peter Abraham
Peter A. Abraham, P.E. | Water Utility Director
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B E H I N D T H E M E T E R | O R O VA L L E Y W AT E R U T I L I TY N E W S L E T T E R
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FA L L I N TO W AT E R S AV I N G S While Oro Valley’s fall temperatures are milder than summer, your landscape still benefits from seasonal adjustments. Cooler mornings, shorter days, and that occasional rainfall means it’s time to reconsider your watering schedule. Making a few simple changes this fall can help conserve our community’s water and keep your landscape inviting and healthy.
IRRIGATION SYSTEM CHECKUP Plants and lawns need less water as temperatures cool •
educe irrigation run times and frequency for the R cooler weather
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heck those irrigation controllers to make sure their clock C settings are accurate to ensure the schedule runs as intended
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Water only as often as your landscape needs
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heck sprinklers and emitter heads for leaks or C inefficiencies
ater early in the morning or evening to minimize W evaporation loss
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Don’t forget to suspend irrigation after rainfall
FALL LANDSCAPING TIPS
FIND AND FIX LEAKS
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F all is a great time for planting those drought-tolerant native plants
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ur Customer Portal offers water monitoring and leak alerts – no extra O charge!
onsider native trees and shrubs, C low-water flowering plants and of course cacti and succulents
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Check faucets and fixtures for leaks
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dd some mulch around trees and A plants to help retain soil moisture
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verwatering is one of the most O common causes of plant stress in the Sonoran Desert
Dripping faucets can waste hundreds of gallons over time •
Look for signs of leaks in the yard from buried irrigation lines
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Sweep down driveways instead of hosing them off
Access our customer portal by scanning the QR code or visiting go.ovaz.gov/water To contact Customer Service, call (520) 229-5000 or email OVwater@orovalleyaz.gov.
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