Rural Arizona Residents Face Water Scarcity as Wells Dry Up, Rely on Haulers
Residents in rural Chino Valley, Arizona, are increasingly dependent on water haulers as their private wells run dry due to prolonged groundwater overdraft and insufficient recharge. The Prescott Active Management Area, which includes Chino Valley, has been designated outside of safe yield by the Arizona Department of Water Resources for 27 years, meaning more water is being extracted than replenished. This situation is exacerbated by regional growth, with Prescott Valley adding 10,000 residents in the last decade. Water haulers like Adam Brice deliver water to approximately 90-100 regular customers, many of whom are elderly or unable to haul water themselves. The issue is attributed to reduced incidental recharge from drought and climate change, coupled with increased groundwater pumping. While local governments are exploring regional cooperation and stormwater retention, individual homeowners are also considering solutions like rainwater harvesting, though it is not yet a widespread practice.
