The West Valley just got a major boost for housing development.
Key Takeaways:
- Epcor USA has been granted Arizona’s first Alternative Designation of Assured Water Supply (ADAWS), paving the way for up to 60,000 new homes.
- Governor Katie Hobbs signed the 100-year designation, ensuring long-term water reliability for over 140,000 residents in Epcor’s service area.
- The designation covers territories from Sun City to I-10 along Loop 303, including parts of Buckeye, Goodyear, Surprise, north Peoria, and Glendale.
- Epcor uses groundwater, Colorado River allocations, and reclaimed “A+” class treated wastewater—which can be recharged into the aquifer and reused as drinking water.
- The initiative is part of a larger effort to address development slowdowns caused by previous groundwater restrictions in the Phoenix AMA.
- Developers like Elliott Homes are already preparing to move forward on projects such as Granite Vista in Buckeye.
- Meanwhile, Buckeye and Queen Creek are working to import water from Harquahala Valley to support continued regional growth.
Why It Matters for Investors:
The 100-year designation provides certainty for builders and investors in an area previously constrained by water policy. With water access assured, West Valley development—including single-family construction—is expected to accelerate again, supporting both housing supply and rental market growth.