- Public informational meeting set for November 10.
- Town Council to vote November 19 on funding for Harquahala water.
- Plan would help Queen Creek qualify as a Designated Water Provider.
- Transition would reduce dependence on groundwater and Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD) fees.
- Residents could see billing changes as costs are restructured.
Friday, November 7, 2025 — On Monday, November 10, the Town of Queen Creek will hold a public informational meeting 
to discuss an important step in its water strategy. The presentation begins at 6 p.m. at the Community Chambers on East Civic Parkway. The meeting will focus on a proposed investment that would secure additional water supplies and move the town closer to earning “Designated Water Provider” status from the Arizona Department of Water Resources—a milestone that would certify a 100-year assured supply.
Queen Creek has worked toward this goal since acquiring its first water company in 2007. Achieving designation would allow the town to directly manage its own replenishment obligations and lessen reliance on the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District, known as CAGRD. Officials say the change would provide greater local control and long-term financial stability for the town’s water system.
The Harquahala Groundwater Supply.
The plan centers on a recently approved transfer of water from the Harquahala Groundwater Basin, located west of the Phoenix metropolitan area. In July 2025, the Arizona Department of Water Resources authorized the first-ever transportation of groundwater from Harquahala to urban communities. Under the order, Queen Creek may withdraw up to 5,000 acre-feet annually, with the option to secure up to 12,000 acre-feet in total.
Town officials describe this supply as the final piece needed to demonstrate a 100-year assured water portfolio without additional local groundwater pumping. The upcoming November 19 Town Council meeting will consider funding for the Harquahala agreement and a commitment to establish a future Water Resource Fee.
Reducing Reliance on CAGRD.
Queen Creek currently delivers treated groundwater to residents and replenishes it through the CAGRD program, which most customers pay for through property taxes. Properties developed before 1996 are exempt. Over the past seven years, the town has used stored water credits to offset these costs for customers, saving residents about $58 million since 2018. Town resolutions allowed this temporary measure, but officials emphasize that it cannot continue indefinitely.
Once the town achieves Designated Water Provider status, Queen Creek could remove individual CAGRD charges from property tax bills and instead manage replenishment collectively as a Member Service Area. Residents may notice that water-related charges shift from their property tax to their monthly water bills as part of the transition.
Potential Fee Structure.
The proposed Water Resource Fee, which would help fund the long-term supply program, is still in development and will undergo a formal public review before adoption. The fee would apply to all customers since the designation benefits the system as a whole. Officials say it would not be implemented before 2027. While individual costs may appear to increase when taxes and bills are restructured, the town expects long-term rate stabilization as dependence on outside replenishment programs declines.
A Regional Turning Point.
The Harquahala transfer represents a new phase in Arizona’s groundwater management. State law—specifically Arizona Revised Statutes § 45-554—permits such transfers under limited conditions. The 2025 authorization followed hydrologic modeling that found no unreasonable harm to nearby users and aligns with state policy encouraging regional water sharing. Governor Katie Hobbs and several local officials praised the approval as a responsible expansion of Arizona’s water options.
For Queen Creek, the upcoming meetings mark a pivotal moment in balancing growth, sustainability, and local control over one of Arizona’s most vital resources. More information: Securing Queen Creek’s Water Future.
Image: City of Queen Creek, Arizona (Original) Vectorized Flag
by TheVexillologistofKingwood (June 2022). Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
FAQ
When and where is the public meeting?
The informational meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 10, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the Queen Creek Community Chambers, 20727 E. Civic Parkway.
What is a Designated Water Provider?
It is a certification granted by the Arizona Department of Water Resources confirming that a municipality has a 100-year assured water supply for planned growth.
What is the Harquahala Groundwater Basin?
Located west of Phoenix, the Harquahala Basin contains groundwater set aside in 1991 for future urban use. The 2025 order allows limited transport of that water to designated growth areas.
How much water is Queen Creek purchasing?
The town purchased rights to 5,000 acre-feet per year and secured a price option for up to 12,000 acre-feet.
Will water bills increase?
Residents may notice billing changes as property-tax-based CAGRD charges shift to water bills. However, officials expect more stable, predictable costs over time.
When would the Water Resource Fee take effect?
The earliest possible implementation date is 2027, following public hearings and Council approval.
What happens next?
After the November 10 informational meeting, the Town Council will consider funding approval for the Harquahala agreement on November 19.
