---
title: Water in the Desert- What Homeowners/Buyers Should Know
description: Arizona water planning matters to homeowners. Learn how Valley water supplies are managed and what East Valley buyers should know.
image: https://kipsellsaz.com/hubfs/Water%20in%20the%20Desert.jpg
---
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Equities Real Estate, LLC 14446 S. 24th Pl, Phoenix AZ 85048
Contact Kip Wilkins: 208.915.9606 License # SA697538000
Oct 15, 2026, 7:45:00 PM
# Water in the Desert- What Homeowners/Buyers Should Know
 [Kip Wilkins, REALTOR](https://kipsellsaz.com/blog/author/kip-wilkins-realtor)
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# Arizona’s Water Future: What East Valley Homebuyers and Homeowners Should Know
When we talk about buying a home in Arizona, we naturally focus on things like location, price, schools, commute times, property condition, and the neighborhood. Water deserves a place in that conversation, too.
One of my preferred lending partners recently shared the video below with me. I thought it was worth passing along because it provides a helpful overview of how Salt River Project (SRP) and Arizona manage water resources for the Valley.
As a REALTOR®, part of my job is helping clients know what questions to ask and where to find reliable information. I don't pretend to be a water expert, but I do believe understanding the basics of Arizona's water system can help buyers make more informed decisions about where they choose to live.
## Arizona Doesn't Depend on Just One Water Source
One of the most important things to understand about water in the Valley is that our communities do not depend on a single source.
Water supplies can include the Salt and Verde rivers, the Colorado River, groundwater, and reclaimed water used for certain purposes.
SRP manages a system of reservoirs along the Salt and Verde river systems. Those reservoirs help capture and store water so it can be used during drier periods.
If you would like to learn more directly from SRP, you can [read about where the Valley's water comes from here.](https://www.srpnet.com/grid-water-management/water-management/where-water-from)
The video also provides useful context about reservoir storage, groundwater, underground water banking, infrastructure, and the long-term planning that goes into managing Arizona's water resources.
## What Does a “100-Year Assured Water Supply” Actually Mean?
This is a phrase Arizona homebuyers may hear, particularly when looking at new construction.
Arizona's Assured Water Supply Program applies within the state's Active Management Areas and is designed to help ensure that qualifying new subdivisions demonstrate an adequate water supply for 100 years.
That does **not** mean Arizona is guaranteed to have unlimited water for the next 100 years, nor does it mean drought and water-supply challenges disappear. It is a water-planning and development standard.
You can learn more directly from the [Arizona Department of Water Resources' Assured and Adequate Water Supply Program.](https://www.azwater.gov/aaws/aaws-overview)
## Why Should an East Valley Homebuyer Care?
If you're considering a home in Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, or another East Valley community, you don't need to become an expert in Arizona water policy.
But you should know enough to ask good questions.
For example:
- Who provides water service to the property?
- Is the home served by a municipal water provider, private water company, or another type of system?
- If you're considering new construction, what water-supply requirements apply to the development?
- Are there water-related disclosures or community information you should review?
- Where can you independently verify information about the property's water provider?
These questions can become particularly important when looking beyond established neighborhoods or considering new developments in growing areas of Arizona.
## Arizona Has Been Planning for Water for Decades
Water headlines can sometimes make it sound as though Arizona suddenly discovered it lives in a desert.
The reality is much more complicated.
Arizona has been actively managing groundwater and planning for long-term water supplies for decades. The state's landmark 1980 Groundwater Management Act created Active Management Areas and established a framework for managing groundwater in areas experiencing significant groundwater use.
Arizona has also developed underground water-storage and banking programs designed to help prepare for future shortages.
At the same time, there are legitimate long-term challenges that should not be ignored.
The Colorado River continues to face significant pressure from long-term drought, changing hydrology, competing demand among states and Mexico, and negotiations over how the river will be managed in the future.
**Both sides of the story matter.**
Arizona has significant water-management infrastructure and decades of planning behind it, while continued conservation, investment, and long-term planning remain important to the state's future.
## Water Conditions Aren't Identical Everywhere in Arizona
This may be one of the most important points for a homebuyer.
A statewide headline does not necessarily tell you the water situation for a specific home.
Water sources and providers can differ from one community to another. Conditions in an established East Valley neighborhood may be very different from those affecting a proposed development on the outer edges of the metropolitan area or a property relying on a private well.
That's why I encourage buyers to look beyond broad headlines and investigate the property and community they are actually considering.
## Your REALTOR® Can Help You Find the Right Source
There are times during a real estate transaction when the best service I can provide isn't pretending to have every answer. It's knowing where the answer should come from.
If you have questions about water service for a property, I can help identify the water provider and point you toward appropriate resources, including the provider, municipality, Arizona Department of Water Resources, or other relevant authority.
I think of this as being your **“source to the source.”**
My role is to help you recognize the questions that matter, connect you with reliable sources, and give you the information you need to conduct your own due diligence before making a real estate decision.
## A Good Real Estate Decision Is an Informed Decision
Arizona continues to grow because people enjoy what our communities have to offer. And water will remain an important part of conversations about that growth.
For buyers, I don't believe the answer is to react to every alarming headline.
I also don't believe the answer is to ignore the issue.
**The better approach is to ask questions, understand the property you're considering, and rely on credible sources for the answers.**
That's one reason I wanted to share the video my preferred lending partner brought to my attention. Good real estate professionals work with other knowledgeable professionals, and useful information should be shared when it can help our clients make better-informed decisions.
If you're considering buying or selling in Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, or another East Valley community and have questions about the area you're considering, I'm always happy to help you start the conversation.
[**Email Kip to discuss your East Valley real estate plans.**](mailto:kipwilkinsrealtor@gmail.com)
|  | **Kip Wilkins** REALTOR® \| Equities Real Estate, LLC Serving Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, and communities throughout Arizona's East Valley Phone: [208-915-9606](tel:+12089159606) Email: [kipwilkinsrealtor@gmail.com](mailto:kipwilkinsrealtor@gmail.com) Website: [www.KipSellsAZ.com](https://kipsellsaz.com/) Contact Kip: [Email Kip](mailto:kipwilkinsrealtor@gmail.com) |
| --- | --- |
I believe real estate is about relationships, trust, and helping people make confident decisions. Whether you are buying your first home, moving up, downsizing, or preparing to sell, my goal is to educate you, advocate for your best interests, and provide the local knowledge you need to make an informed decision.
Kip Wilkins is a licensed REALTOR® with Equities Real Estate, LLC. REALTOR® is a registered trademark of the National Association of REALTORS®. Equal Housing Opportunity. Water supplies, regulations, provider information, reservoir levels, and development requirements may change and vary by property and location. Kip Wilkins and Equities Real Estate, LLC do not make representations or guarantees regarding the availability, quality, adequacy, or future supply of water for any property or community. Buyers should conduct their own due diligence and consult the applicable water provider, municipality, Arizona Department of Water Resources, and other appropriate authorities regarding a specific property. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified.
[Ahwatukee Homes for Sale](https://kipsellsaz.com/blog/tag/ahwatukee-homes-for-sale), [Chandler Real Estate](https://kipsellsaz.com/blog/tag/chandler-real-estate), [Phoenix Metro Realtor,](https://kipsellsaz.com/blog/tag/phoenix-metro-realtor), [Home Buying Strategies 2026](https://kipsellsaz.com/blog/tag/home-buying-strategies-2026), [kipsellsAZ](https://kipsellsaz.com/blog/tag/kipsellsaz), [kipknowsRE](https://kipsellsaz.com/blog/tag/kipknowsre)
When it comes to buying or selling a home, Kip Wilkins, a REALTOR at Equities Real Estate, LLC, and part of the Arizona Dream Living team, stands out for his professionalism, integrity, and compassion. Serving the East Valley, including Ahwatukee, Chandler, and Gilbert, Kip is dedicated to helping clients make informed and empowered decisions. He has a special talent for working with first-time homebuyers, making the process smoother and less stressful with his knowledge, patience, and understanding. Kip prioritizes education and transparency, ensuring you fully understand your options. His excellent negotiation skills and deep market knowledge ensure you get the best deal possible. Choosing Kip means having a trusted advisor who will guide you every step of the way, making your real estate journey a positive experience.
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---
# Equities Real Estate
- **Equities Real Estate, LLC**
- **14446 S. 24th Pl, Phoenix AZ 85048**
- **Kip Wilkins, REALTOR
Lic. # SA697538000**
- **208-915-9606**
- [**KipWilkinsREALTOR@gmail.com**](mailto:kipwilkinsrealtor@gmail.com)
![Equities Full Transparent (3)\[70\]](https://kipsellsaz.com/hubfs/Equities%20Full%20Transparent%20(3)%5B70%5D.jpg "Equities Full Transparent (3)[70]")
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© 2024 Kip Wilkins, REALTOR
### Meet Your Local Expert: Kip Wilkins
**Specializing in Chandler, Ahwatukee, and the Phoenix Metro Area**
As an East Valley real estate consultant, I help buyers and sellers navigate the unique markets of **Chandler** and **Ahwatukee**. From luxury estates in the foothills to modern family homes, I provide the local insight and strategy you need to win.
**My Philosophy: Educate. Guide. Succeed.**
📞 **Direct:** (208) 915-9606
📧 **Email:** [kipwilkinsrealtor@gmail.com](mailto:kipwilkinsrealtor@gmail.com)
🌐 **Website:** [Kipsellsaz.com](https://kipsellsaz.com)
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