PHOENIX — Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) have taken a landmark step to secure Arizona’s water future by designating the Willcox Groundwater Basin as an Active Management Area (AMA). This action aims to address groundwater overdraft, protect local communities, and curtail exploitation by large, out-of-state corporations.
“This decision marks a critical milestone in safeguarding rural Arizona’s water supplies,” Hobbs said. “Families, farmers, and businesses have suffered long enough from the impacts of unchecked groundwater pumping, including dry wells, earth fissures, and economic challenges.”
The Importance of the AMA Designation
The Willcox Basin’s new AMA status will protect over 8,100 residents and local economies by implementing conservation requirements to stabilize the aquifer. Groundwater levels in the region have fallen over 400 feet in some areas, with nearly 50 miles of fissures mapped and over 1,200 wells drilled or deepened in the past 14 years.
The designation also prevents additional large corporations from exploiting groundwater supplies while allowing existing users to maintain their water access.
Local Support and Challenges
Willcox Mayor Greg Hancock commended the governor’s commitment while acknowledging the need for collaboration to address water challenges.
“This is an essential step for a sustainable future, but our community must work together to balance water preservation with economic vitality,” Hancock said.
Local residents and stakeholders, including vineyard owners and farmers, expressed gratitude for the decision, highlighting the long-term benefits of stabilizing the aquifer.
Next Steps
This designation is the first of its kind under the 1980 Groundwater Management Act’s provisions for new AMA establishment. Governor Hobbs pledged continued efforts to push for rural groundwater reform legislation in 2025, ensuring long-term solutions for Arizona’s water challenges.
Director Tom Buschatzke of ADWR emphasized the necessity of this action, stating that hydrologic conditions in the basin met statutory requirements for AMA designation.
The Willcox AMA designation represents a significant step toward addressing Arizona’s water crisis and ensuring sustainable resources for future generations.
