Key Takeaways
- Chandler holds a 100‑year assured water supply, yet officials are acting now to prepare for reduced Colorado River flows.
- The city is expanding groundwater banking, increasing reclaimed‑water use, and launching rebate programs for businesses.
- SanTan Brewing Company’s new mash‑filter press saves roughly 400 gallons per brew, illustrating how technology cuts water demand.
- Multiplying such savings across dozens of local firms shows cumulative impact can be substantial.
- Leaders stress that water security requires cooperation among municipalities, agriculture, tribes, and residents—not a burden on any single sector.
- Ongoing community outreach, including the Your Chandler News Facebook group, keeps citizens informed and involved.
Chandler’s Long‑Term Water Assurance
Chandler enjoys a 100‑year assured water supply designation from the state, which certifies that the city possesses enough renewable water to meet present and projected demands for the next century. Despite this safety net, city leaders recognize that the Colorado River—the historic backbone of Arizona’s water portfolio—can no longer be relied upon at past levels. Consequently, Chandler has been developing a forward‑looking water strategy for decades, anticipating a future with less river water. Officials such as Simone Kjolsrud emphasize that preparation began long before any crisis emerged, reflecting a proactive mindset that seeks to safeguard residents, businesses, and ecosystems against growing climatic uncertainties.
Diversifying Sources Through Groundwater Banking
A cornerstone of Chandler’s strategy is the expansion of groundwater banking, a practice that stores excess surface water in aquifers during wet periods for later retrieval during droughts. By strategically recharging the underground basin, the city creates a reserve that can be pumped when river allocations shrink. This approach not only buffers against short‑term variability but also helps manage long‑term trends of reduced snowpack in the Rocky Mountains. Groundwater banking is complemented by careful monitoring to ensure that withdrawals stay within sustainable limits, preserving water quality and preventing land subsidence. The city’s investment in infrastructure—such as recharge basins and recovery wells—demonstrates a commitment to turning seasonal abundance into lasting security.
Expanding Reclaimed Water Use
In parallel with groundwater initiatives, Chandler is increasing the use of reclaimed water—treated wastewater that meets stringent safety standards for non‑potable applications. The city’s upgraded treatment plants now deliver high‑quality effluent for irrigation of parks, golf courses, and landscaping, as well as for industrial cooling processes. By substituting reclaimed water for potable supplies in these uses, Chandler reduces demand on its drinking‑water system while still maintaining attractive green spaces and operational efficiency for businesses. Public outreach campaigns reassure residents that reclaimed water is safe for its intended purposes, fostering acceptance and encouraging broader adoption across municipal facilities and private developments.
Business‑Focused Conservation Rebates
Recognizing that commercial entities account for a significant portion of water use, Chandler launched in 2023 a water‑efficiency technology rebate program aimed specifically at the business community. The initiative offers financial incentives for companies that install low‑flow fixtures, smart irrigation controllers, high‑efficiency washing equipment, and other proven conservation measures. By offsetting upfront costs, the rebate accelerates adoption of technologies that can cut water consumption by tens to hundreds of gallons per day per establishment. Early participants report noticeable drops in utility bills and express appreciation for the city’s partnership approach, which treats businesses as allies rather than regulators in the pursuit of sustainable water management.
SanTan Brewing’s Innovative Mash Filter Press
One vivid example of the rebate program’s impact is SanTan Brewing Company, where head brewer Gabe Wilson and his team recently installed a mash‑filter press. This advanced piece of equipment mechanically presses the grain mash, extracting nearly all available liquid and leaving behind a much drier spent grain. Wilson explains that the press “literally mechanically squeezes it and squeezes out almost all the liquid,” enabling the brewery to capture close to 100 % of the water introduced into the mash. As a result, each brewing batch saves roughly 400 gallons of water—a figure that multiplies quickly given the brewery’s schedule of hundreds of brew days each year. The success at SanTan illustrates how targeted technology upgrades can deliver measurable resource savings while maintaining product quality.
Scaling Savings Across the Business Community
When the 400‑gallon‑per‑batch savings at SanTan are projected across its annual brewing cycle, the conservation totals reach tens of thousands of gallons saved each year. Extrapolating this model to the dozens of other local businesses participating in Chandler’s rebate program—restaurants, manufacturers, hotels, and landscaping firms—shows a cumulative effect that can substantially ease pressure on municipal water supplies. City officials stress that while individual savings may appear modest, the aggregate impact becomes meaningful when many actors adopt similar measures. This scaling principle underscores the value of city‑wide incentives: they transform isolated improvements into a collective buffer against scarcity, aligning economic interests with environmental stewardship.
Collaborative Regional Approach to Water Security
Chandler’s leaders repeatedly emphasize that no single sector can solve the region’s water challenges alone. Simone Kjolsrud notes that municipalities, agricultural users, tribal nations, and residents must all contribute to finding solutions, framing water security as a shared responsibility rather than a burden placed on any one group. This collaborative mindset encourages joint projects such as regional groundwater banking ventures, coordinated reclamation efforts, and cross‑sector conservation campaigns. By fostering dialogue and partnership, Chandler aims to create a resilient water portfolio that can withstand climatic shifts, population growth, and evolving regulatory landscapes, ensuring long‑term viability for all stakeholders in the Salt River Valley.
Community Engagement and Ongoing Outreach
To keep residents informed and involved, Chandler maintains active outreach channels, including the Your Chandler News Facebook group, where citizens can receive updates on water projects, conservation tips, and opportunities to participate in public meetings. The city also hosts workshops, distributes educational materials, and works with schools to teach water‑wise habits from an early age. This continuous engagement builds a culture of awareness and empowerment, enabling individuals to make informed choices about indoor and outdoor water use. By nurturing an informed community, Chandler reinforces the idea that sustainable water management is a collective endeavor supported by both policy action and everyday stewardship.