Gilbert officials are asking the Town Council to approve a Firming Water Delivery Agreement that town staff says would strengthen the town’s ability to provide water to residents in the face of anticipated reductions from the Colorado River.
Background and urgency
About 40% of Gilbert’s water supply currently comes from the Colorado River. Town staff told officials they expect reductions to Gilbert’s supply from the Central Arizona Project — the canal system that brings Colorado River water to central and southern Arizona — to begin in 2027. The prospect of those cuts has prompted the town to pursue measures intended to preserve reliability during shortages.
What the agreement would do
The proposed Firming Water Delivery Agreement, which town staff recommended the council approve, is designed to give Gilbert more flexibility to access water it has stored underground in prior years if surface deliveries from the Colorado River are reduced.
Town staff says it's recommending council approve a Firming Water Delivery Agreement that would give Gilbert more flexibility to access water previously stored underground during shortages.
In addition to the agreement, Gilbert has expanded its physical backup supply by drilling eight new wells, according to town officials. The combination of legal or contractual firming and increased groundwater production is intended to reduce the immediate risk of shortages to customers if the Central Arizona Project reduces allocations.
- 40% of Gilbert’s water comes from the Colorado River.
- Central Arizona Project reductions are expected to begin in 2027.
- Gilbert has drilled 8 new wells as backup supply.
Local consequences and context
For Gilbert residents, the steps under consideration are aimed at ensuring continuity of service — keeping taps running while the region adapts to lower Colorado River deliveries. A formal firming agreement could allow water that has been recharged into aquifers during years of higher supply to be recovered for use during shortages, rather than rely solely on surface deliveries through the CAP system.
Town leaders will consider the agreement at the upcoming council meeting on Tuesday. The vote could determine how aggressively Gilbert uses stored groundwater during a potential shortage and how the town coordinates with regional partners that also rely on CAP deliveries.
Regional pressures remain
Gilbert’s actions reflect broader stresses across Arizona and the West as states grapple with declining Colorado River flows and legal and policy choices about how to allocate reduced supplies. For municipalities, the choices include developing new physical supplies, securing legal rights to stored water, and negotiating agreements that define access and priorities during shortages.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Share from Colorado River | 40% of Gilbert’s water |
| Anticipated CAP reductions | Expected to begin in 2027 |
| Additional wells | 8 new wells drilled |
Town staff and council members are balancing short-term reliability against long-term sustainability and regulatory requirements. Residents attending the council meeting are likely to seek clarity about what the agreement means for water rates, conservation expectations and how the town plans to manage groundwater resources if reliance on aquifer withdrawals increases.
The council’s decision will shape how Gilbert navigates an era of constrained Colorado River supplies and will be one part of a larger, regional adaptation effort to protect municipal water service amid changing hydrology and demand.
