Water Resource Plan
T
he other new element included in the General Plan is the water resource component. Arizona law requires a Certificate of 100 Year Assured Water Supply (CAWS) from the Arizona Department of Water Resources before land is subdivided for single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums. This indicates the state government believes water to support the development and its residents or activity exists for at least 100 years. The City evaluated its growth projections and its water supply while updating the General Plan, said Paul Tice, Casa Grande’s planning and development director. The City has “approximately 21,808 vacant lots” that have approved CAWS, he said. “These vacant lots are associated with recorded final plats, approved preliminary plats and townhome/ condominium sites that have their zoning in place. We believe that this supply of vacant lots with CAWS will be adequate to meet our residential growth needs for the next 30 years,” Tice said. The City estimates the population will be 118,395 in 2050. The most recent U.S. Census estimate showed the population as 58,632 in 2019. “We have included a number of goals intended to achieve water conservation and to develop additional water resources,” Tice said.
The goals include: • Conserving outdoor use of water • Reducing residential and commercial water use per capita by 15% from 2020 levels • Maximizing the use of effluent as an alternative to groundwater • Developing additional water supplies to reduce dependency on groundwater “We are proud of Casa Grande for being one of the first Arizona cities to put water resource management at the center of its General Land Use Plan for 2030,” Arizona Water Company Water Resource Manager Terri Sue Rossi said. “After nearly a year of development, the City of Casa Grande and Arizona Water Company are implementing SAVE IT CG, a public messaging campaign that is the brand and foundation for the joint demand management program. Casa Grande residents and businesses will be a big part of the success of the demand management program. This year, we will be targeting outdoor water use. Look for ways you can participate whether it’s by visiting the SAVE IT! Landing page, visiting our water conservation experts at local events or sharing your tips for reducing water use. Residents can learn more at: www.saveitcg.com.”
TOGETHER... GROWING THE COMMUNITY SUSTAINABLY
Casa Grande is one of the first communities in Arizona to put water at the center of its General Land Use Plan.The partnership between the city and Arizona Water Company will ensure that growth today can be sustained tomorrow. A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN: VISIT OUR SAVE IT! PAGE
Pictured, from left: Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland; Arizona Water Company Water Conservation Specialist Raluca Mihalcescu; and AWC Pinal Valley Assistant Manager Ray Murrieta.
520-836-8785 | www.AZWATER.com
THINKCASAGRANDE.COM · CITY OF CASA GRANDE
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