Arizona’s rural communities are facing a water crisis. Wells are running dry, families are hauling water, and the land is cracking under the pressure of overpumping.

Despite these dire conditions, our state legislature has yet to pass meaningful groundwater protections for rural areas.

Governor Katie Hobbs proposed a bipartisan solution to establish Rural Groundwater Management Areas (RGMAs), aiming to empower local communities to manage and conserve their water resources. However, negotiations have stalled, and with the legislative session nearing its end, time is running out.

Without action, the depletion of our groundwater will continue unchecked, threatening the livelihoods of farmers, the stability of our ecosystems, and the future of our rural towns.

We urge Arizona lawmakers to reignite bipartisan negotiations and prioritize the passage of the RGMA legislation.

Ensure that rural communities have the tools and authority to manage their groundwater sustainably.
Act swiftly to prevent further environmental degradation and economic hardship.

The health of Arizona’s rural communities and the sustainability of our water resources depend on immediate legislative action.