Water

Residents provided additional guidance to help craft water resource and conservation goals, policies and actions in May 2025. All draft goals, policies and actions developed by residents are included in the 30% draft plan available HERE.

The purpose of the 30% draft plan is to facilitate further review, refinement and wordsmithing before creating a comprehensive and polished version of the 10-year community action plan. The polished version will be released later this year.

The OV's Path Forward Background Report, available HERE, provides key trends and conditions that should be considered when planning for OV's future.

• Oro Valley (OV) has reduced groundwater pumping to historic lows. Since 2005, groundwater pumping has been reduced by over 50%. Groundwater pumping has been offset through Central Arizona Project (CAP) water deliveries and use of reclaimed water for turf irrigation. OV should continue to reduce its reliance on groundwater by increasing the deliveries of other water resources such as CAP and reclaimed water.

• The Colorado River is over allocated so reductions in its use will be required from all its users. OV has anticipated and planned for a 25% reduction to its CAP water allocation. Approximately 25% of OV’s CAP allocation is not delivered and is stored in nearby underground aquifer storage facilities for future use, if needed. This stored water is referred to as Long Term Storage Credits (LTSC’s). A 25% reduction to OV’s CAP allocation is sustainable but could limit OV’s annexation growth potential without changing how OV manages its water resources.

• Water conservation measures are required with all new developments. Residents and business owners are further encouraged to make small changes to reduce their use of potable (drinking) water. Ongoing education and awareness about water consumption by using best practices as well as new water consumption monitoring technologies is needed.

• Reclaimed water is another resource the Town uses to reduce use of potable water. Reclaimed water is used for turf irrigation at some of OV’s golf courses, street sweeping, construction and other non-potable uses.

During Phase 1 (October 2023 - October 2024), residents shared their ideas, priorities and expectations for OV's future through the BIG Community Survey, 93 events, and online discussions. The phone survey method is statistically projectable to all OV adults. This means 50% represents 20,593 residents.

The percentages represent responses to various question types. Higher percentages relate to questions where residents rated specific options. Low percentages relate to open-ended questions that allowed a wide variety of responses.

A summary of resident responses is available HERE with key points shown below:

The draft guiding principles are based on the community guidance provided during Phase 1. Underlined words were derived directly from resident responses.

Ensure water availability:

• Continue planning for a reliable water future
• Increase community awareness of the importance of water conservation
• Expand water conservation programs, opportunities, and requirements
• Reduce the use of drinking water for irrigation
• Expand the use of reclaimed water