Gilbert is Prepared for Colorado River Reductions with Continued Water Investments and Conservation

Gilbert, Ariz. - Beginning January 1, 2027, Gilbert will face a reduction in its Colorado River water supply as drought and declining river supplies continue to put pressure on Arizona's water resources.

On Friday, August 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Interior and Bureau of Reclamation finalized a Record of Decision outlining how the Colorado River will be managed in 2027 and 2028 as part of a 10-year framework.

Under the agreement, California, Arizona and Nevada must collectively reduce Colorado River deliveries by 1.25 million acre-feet, in addition to voluntarily conserving and storing at least 700,000 acre-feet over the same period. If Arizona adopts the proposed sharing agreement, the state would be responsible for approximately 760,000 acre-feet of reductions each year for the next two years.

For Gilbert residents, this does not mean the water will stop flowing from the tap. It means we must continue working together to protect our water supply for the near future.

"Residents can continue to count on Gilbert to plan ahead and make thoughtful decisions about our water future," said Lauren Hixson, Gilbert's Water Resources Manager. "Protecting Gilbert's water resources is something we all have a role in, and lasting water resiliency will require community effort," she added.

The Town wants residents to feel confident that Gilbert has spent more than 40 years preparing for water supply challenges like this. Through strategic investments, the Town has diversified its water resources, strengthened critical infrastructure and expanded access to reserve groundwater supplies. These efforts are designed to give Gilbert greater flexibility and resilience as drought and changing water conditions continue.

Going forward, to stay resilient amidst the Colorado River crisis, Arizona needs major investments from the state and federal governments. This financial support will help develop new water sources for communities like Gilbert. Keeping our water system secure will require sustained investments, and the Town is committed to careful, long-term planning to meet those needs.

Gilbert is Investing in a More Resilient Water System

Gilbert's water supply comes from multiple sources , including Salt River Project water (40%), Colorado River water delivered through the Central Arizona Project (41%), reclaimed water (15%) and groundwater (4%). Maintaining this diverse portfolio reduces the Town's reliance on any single source and provides greater flexibility when water supplies are limited.

One of Gilbert's most significant investments is the development of eight new well sites, which will provide an additional backup water supply. Since the early 1990s, Gilbert has been strategically recharging water in the aquifer at places like the Riparian Preserve and currently has stored enough water to fill Canyon Lake nearly ten times. These wells are part of the Town's long-term strategy to strengthen its water portfolio and provide additional capacity when surface water supplies are constrained.

At the same time, the Town is rebuilding and expanding its North Water Treatment Plant (NWTP), the largest investment in Gilbert's water system. The multi-phase reconstruction will improve the plant's reliability, replace aging infrastructure and increase Gilbert's ability to fully utilize renewable water resources from the Salt and Verde rivers.

Preparing for the Future

Gilbert has also prioritized responsible water use for decades. The Town has used reclaimed water since 1986, reducing demand on groundwater and surface water supplies by using highly treated reclaimed water for irrigation and groundwater recharge (e.g. the Riparian Preserve).

Gilbert's long-term investments mean the Town is better positioned to navigate Colorado River reductions and future water challenges. However, water conservation remains a critical part of protecting Gilbert's water future and every resident can make a difference.

Water conservation is more crucial now than ever, and we need the community's support to safeguard our water resources. Recent data from the Town confirms that our conservation efforts are successful. Despite a 21% population growth since 2017, Gilbert has kept its water usage stable and even reduced it by 5% between 2024 and 2025.

The Town provides programs and services to help residents and business owners save water and reduce expenses. These include free water efficiency checkups, instructional videos on detecting leaks, and rebates for grass removal and smart irrigation controllers.

Learn how you can make small changes at home that make a big difference gilbertaz.gov/waterconservation.