Groundwater is water that fills the spaces within and between soil particles and rock formations underground. It is primarily withdrawn through wells that pump groundwater from below the water table. Throughout most of Arizona, only about 2.5% of precipitation converts to groundwater. In many parts of the state, groundwater withdrawals exceed the natural rate of recharge.
Arizona's 2023 groundwater model for the Phoenix AMA concluded that the region had reached the limits of physically available groundwater. This report explains the implications of that finding and what it means for continued development.
For over three decades, rigorous groundwater management combined with regulations requiring renewable water supplies for growth have helped ensure water resilience for Greater Phoenix. As the region confronts new water supply challenges, continuing groundwater protection may require changes to the rules for managing groundwater in the Phoenix Active Management Area.
Within the state's Active Management Areas, cities, Tribes and other entities can accrue long term storage credits for groundwater stored in the aquifers. This tool provides details about each long term storage credit account -- how much water and where it is stored -- potentially facilitating exchanges of groundwater supplies among account holders.
This interactive map shows how groundwater levels have changed in Arizona's 51 groundwater basins over 1-year, 10-year and 20-year periods.
In arid climates like Arizona's, aquifers take thousands of years to fill, but modern technology enables humans to use up groundwater far faster than nature replenishes it. The Arizona Groundwater Dashboard provides insights on groundwater demand and supply in each of the state's 51 groundwater basins.
Learn how to use the interactive map of groundwater level changes throughout Arizona's 51 basins.