For the Love of Water

Water is a finite resource, and in the desert, we never take that for granted.

Water is part of everyday life. In Gilbert, it supports our neighborhoods, our parks, our local businesses, and the heritage that reminds us where this community began. It is reliable, it is safe, and it is there when we need, but providing water in Arizona takes long term planning, careful investment, and constant stewardship.

That is why recent conversations about water costs have resonated so strongly. Utility bills are not abstract. They affect families trying to budget each month, seniors on fixed incomes, and small businesses doing their best to plan ahead. Residents deserve clear information about what is changing, why it is happening, and how the Town is working to protect Gilbert's water future.

One of the most important things to understand is that Gilbert's water comes from multiple sources. We rely on a diverse water portfolio to ensure long-term sustainability. That includes Colorado River water delivered through the Central Arizona Project and from our stored groundwater supplies when necessary. Our goal is to provide 90% of Gilbert's water from renewable sources, primarily the Colorado and Salt and Verde Rivers, while protecting groundwater as a long-term reserve.

Gilbert also takes proactive steps to protect that reserve. The Town continuously recharges its aquifers using highly treated reclaimed water from our water reclamation treatment facility, allowing us to store water locally for future use and strengthen long-term resiliency. The town also regularly updates its Water Resources Master Plan and maintains its Designation of Assured Water Supply, which demonstrates to state regulators that the community has a 100-year water supply to support current and future residents. These efforts work together to ensure Gilbert continues to meet regulatory requirements while planning responsibly for long-term water reliability.

It is impossible to talk about water without recognizing what is happening across the Southwest. The Colorado River remains under historic strain, and the seven basin states continue working through complex negotiations over how water will be shared in the years ahead. In February 2026, a federal deadline passed without a full seven-state consensus on new operating guidelines. Federal officials have indicated they will move forward with developing updated guidelines, with final decisions expected ahead of the next operating period beginning October 1, 2026. If negotiations aren't favorable, Gilbert will most likely lose 77.4% of our water allotment from the Colorado. That ongoing uncertainty reinforces why local communities like Gilbert must continue planning ahead rather than waiting for crisis conditions.

At home, Gilbert is also facing local infrastructure needs that cannot be postponed. Much of our water and wastewater system was built decades ago, and some components are reaching the end of their useful life sooner than expected. Addressing aging pipes, treatment facilities, and system reliability before failures occur is one of the most responsible and cost-effective steps we can take.

That is why Gilbert is making long-term investments now, including upgrades to essential water infrastructure and new wells to access our stored supplies. These are not projects undertaken lightly. They are about ensuring that safe, dependable water continues to flow for residents and businesses for decades to come.

Gilbert is also committed to fairness. Most households use water responsibly, while a smaller share of customers place much higher demand on the system. Tiered water rates help encourage conservation and ensure that those who use the most water contribute proportionally more, protecting everyday users while supporting sustainability.

Living in the desert has always required long-term thinking. Gilbert's success has been built on careful planning across generations, and that work continues today. The decisions being made now are not always easy, but they reflect responsibility, resilience, and a commitment to protecting one of our most essential resources.

Loving water means caring for it and the systems that support us all.

- Vice Mayor Chuck Bongiovanni