The Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board (CAWCD) met Thursday, Oct. 10 in Tucson for its annual Pima County meeting. Chairman Verlon Jose with the Tohono O’odham Nation welcomed the Board to Desert Diamond Casino.

The Board approved the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District’s (CAGRD’s) 2025 Plan of Operation for submittal to the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources. This follows a multi-year effort, including input from stakeholders and industry experts. The Plan outlines the replenishment activities proposed in the Phoenix, Pinal and Tucson Active Management Areas over the next 100 years, based on CAGRD membership activity through 2034.

Additionally, the Board approved an Energy Sales Agreement with Tucson Electric Power. In early 2024, CAP staff began engaging various Arizona electric utilities, attempting to secure long-term energy resources. The discussion with Tucson Electric Power led to this proposal, which will provide approximately 20% of the estimated energy needed in 2025. Energy from the contract will come from an in-state utility with generation assets spread around Arizona, adding a level of geographic diversity to the CAP portfolio.

And finally, on consent agenda, the Board approved an equipment procurement contract for the SCADA Replacement Project at Headquarters.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Board presented the CAP Award for Water Research, which recognizes excellence in graduate and undergraduate water research on water issues that affect central and southern Arizona and the Colorado River. Submissions are reviewed by a five-person judging panel – two from municipalities, one from an in-state university, one CAP staff representative and one CAWCD Board Member.

First place winner Danielle Tadych, a graduate student at the University of Arizona, presented her paper, “Impact of Groundwater Management on Drought Responses in the Southwest.” Second place winner Marzieh Rezaei Ghaleh, a graduate student at Arizona State University, presented virtually for her research, “Integrating Stakeholder Engagement for Resource Management in the Food-Energy-Water Nexus of Phoenix AMA.”

The Board additionally heard presentations on:

• Update on the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center by Sharon B. Megdal, PhD, director, University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) and former CAWCD Board Member
• Colorado River conditions

The CAWCD Board of Directors is a popularly elected, 15-member board. Ten members are from Maricopa County, four from Pima County and one from Pinal County. Members serve six-year, unpaid terms. The board typically meets publicly the first Thursday of each month to establish policy and set rates and taxes for CAP. Meetings are open to the public – in person and via livestream.

For additional details on the Oct. 10, 2024 board meeting, take a look at the agenda. Board minutes and video will be posted here, as well.