Decentralized treatment systems can help manage drought and aquifer health for water resilience in Arizona

Arizona is no stranger to water scarcity, but a historic megadrought—combined with declining Colorado River inflows and groundwater depletion—is pushing the state toward crisis. Fast-growing counties like Pinal, Maricopa, and Yavapai are placing even greater demand on already overstressed resources.

To sustain growth and protect aquifers, Arizona needs decentralized water and wastewater solutions that deliver capacity faster, reduce dependence on groundwater, and align with the state’s complex regulatory framework.

The Dual Challenge: Drought and Aquifer Stress

As surface water allocations shrink, communities increasingly rely on groundwater, which is a short-term fix with long-te

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