Water scarcity and growth infrastructure
Water supply ranks as a top or number-one statewide voter concern in 2026 due to Colorado River cuts, drought, heat, and rapid growth. Maricopa County must plan infrastructure, zoning, drainage, and water-readiness assessments for projected population increases and data-center demand while balancing economic development.
How should Maricopa County manage water resources amid growth and scarcity?
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Sources
Arizona voter surveys — https://tucson.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/elections/article_56909c42-8a72-46eb-a91c-4e29423c4d60.html
Water scarcity: Top or near-top statewide voter concern in 2026 (first time #1 in some surveys), driven by Colorado River cuts, drought, extreme heat, and growth. Maricopa faces pressures from population boom ... and demand from data centers/urban expansion.
Equis voter research — https://www.weareequis.us/research/memo-arizona-voter-research---sept-2026
Data centers: Voter skepticism over energy/water use, rate impacts, and tax breaks; related utility elections highlighted electricity/water costs.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Impose strict growth moratoriums and ban new high-water data centers
- Require aggressive conservation, recycling, and limit water-intensive industry
- Balance new infrastructure investment with voluntary conservation incentives
- Prioritize water for existing residents and economic projects already approved
- Accelerate growth and desalination/tech solutions without new restrictions
- Leave water allocation almost entirely to market prices and private rights
- Eliminate most county water-planning rules to maximize development speed