The Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board (CAWCD) met on Thursday, Nov. 5 at Central Arizona Project (CAP) headquarters in north Phoenix. The meeting began with the recognition of employees celebrating 20 to 35 years of service.

The Board approved agreement templates for implementation of the 700+ Plan System Conservation Program. There are two types of agreements:

• An agreement among CAWCD, the Bureau of Reclamation and the participating subcontractors for uncompensated system conservation. The subcontractor will submit modified water orders to CAWCD and Reclamation, reducing their scheduled deliveries of CAP water. That water will be retained in Lake Mead as system conservation water. Reclamation will account for the conserved water as an Arizona contribution to the 700+ Plan. Subcontractors may only contribute water that is available to them after application of the required reductions under the 2027-28 Guidelines.
• An agreement among CAWCD, the Arizona Water Banking Authority (AWBA) and participating subcontractors whereby the AWBA commits to distribute a volume of long-term storage credits to the subcontractor equal to the amount of system conservation water contributed under the 700+ Plan.

Additionally, the Board approved the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District’s participation in the 700+ System Conservation Plan.

Related to infrastructure, the Board ratified the modification of an urgent necessity construction contract with Archer Wester Construction for the Pool 1 Embankment Repair and Stabilization Project, funded for a total contract value not to exceed $7 million out of capital reserve funds.  On Consent Agenda the Board approved a construction contract modification for the circuit breaker replacement project at the Hassayampa Pumping Plant.

And, after a robust discussion, the Board opted not to approve programmatic funding for Colorado River Basin precipitation enhancement activities.

The Board also heard a presentation on Colorado River conditions including the impact of recent storms on Lake Powell.

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 Nov. 5, 2026 board meeting, take a look at the agenda. Board minutes and video will be posted here, as well.