The future of Arizona hinges on our scarcest resource: water.
As our state continues to grow and temperatures continue to rise, the policies we enact (or don’t enact) today will shape the landscape — literally — for our children and grandkids.
That’s why we’re launching the Arizona Water Agenda.
Think of us as your weekly source of water news, notes and nuggets. We’ll explain who controls the water, how it’s being used, and how we can secure our state’s liquid future.
And as an offshoot of Arizona’s premier politics and policy newsletter, the Arizona Agenda, we will of course spill the hot tea in Arizona water politics.
Why Focus on Water?
Isn’t it obvious?
Water is more than just a resource — it’s our lifeblood.
And it’s running thin.
Water is at the heart of nearly every dispute among cities, farmers, tribes and developers. It underlies debates about housing, energy, the economy, not to mention the long-term survival of our desert state.
It’s crucial that every Arizonan understands the stakes.
But we know it can be a dry topic. So in true Agenda style, we’re going to make it fun.
Here’s what you can expect from the Arizona Water Agenda:
Bill Battles: We’re tracking the big water bills flowing through the state Capitol, and we’ll cover the debates that matter most — and the personalities that dominate those debates.
The Price of Water: We’ll break down the complex world of water funding, showing you how decisions are made and where your money is going.
Meet the Water Warriors: Get to know the people at the forefront of water policy — politicians, researchers, and activists shaping the future of Arizona’s most essential resource.
Tech on Tap: Explore the latest technological advancements in water management, from desalination to leak detection to smart irrigation, and their potential for Arizona.
Water Events Calendar: We’ll keep readers abreast about upcoming water-related conferences, workshops, public hearings, and community events.
Our Guide
The Arizona Water Agenda is led by Christian Sawyer, a water researcher and activist, and the Agenda’s go-to freelancer on all things Arizona water policy and politics. Think of him as your guide to the rivers, streams lakes, canals, aquifers and puddles of Arizona.
Christian has spent years wading through bureaucratic language and complicated water agreements, and he can translate it all for you. With help from our reporters at the Arizona Agenda and Tucson Agenda, he’ll have no shortage of news to dig up for you.
Join the Wave
We want the Water Agenda to be more than just a newsletter, but a place where people who care about the future of water in our state can connect, share insights and swap ideas.
Our first edition will arrive in your inbox next week.
Until then, we want to hear from you!
What water issues are most concerning to you? What stories do you want us to cover? What do you not understand about Arizona water that you wish you did? Reply to this post or leave a comment below.
Let’s dive in!