Phoenix uses World Series to repair water image - The Arizona Republic

Phoenix uses World Series to repair water image

Phoenix uses World Series to send strong, positive water message
Taylor Seely

For insiders at City Hall, the World Series is an opportunity to rebrand Phoenix's national water reputation and repair perceptions among out-of-state business leaders who may be doubting the city's sustainability.

Phoenix Water Advisor Cynthia Campbell stood in front of Chase Field the morning before Game 1 of the series.

"The Diamondbacks is not the only team in town with serious depth in its lineup. Phoenix water has a robust and diverse water resource portfolio, and a dedication to sustainable water management and conservation," Campbell told reporters Oct. 27.

She went on to discuss the myriad sources of Phoenix of water and how the city uses less water today than the Arizona Diamondbacks' last World Series in 2001, "even though we've added over 400,000 new residents during that time."

The city had gathered officials from the police and fire departments, Valley Metro and the airport so reporters could ask critical, need-to-know questions about safety and transportation for residents and tourists attending the games.

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Campbell's comments did not directly address the game, but instead sent a firm message: Phoenix's water supply is strong, sustainable and responsibly managed.

It was a contrast to multiple national news stories from the past year that have focused on Colorado River shortages, groundwater deficiencies and water shutoffs in residential communities near Phoenix.

Economic Development Director Christine Mackay told The Arizona Republic Campbell's messaging was about correcting misinformation.

Business executives are expected to visit Phoenix during the World Series, and Mackay's job is to pitch Phoenix as a place they should invest in. But to do that successfully, Phoenix has to get ahead of negative perceptions.

"When Rio Verde hit the national media, all they heard was Phoenix. ... My staff got more calls. I got more projects that pulled from Phoenix because of Rio Verde, this little wildcat subdivision, than any water issue that we've ever had in the past, Mackay said.

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Rio Verde Foothills is an unincorporated community 40 miles northeast of downtown Phoenix. It's considered part of Maricopa County, but it doesn't belong to any city.

About 1,000 residents there lost water in 2022 because of a loophole in state law that allows developers to build homes without guaranteeing water.

State law requires 100-year water guarantees for residential subdivisions, but if a developer splits a lot fewer than six times, which is the case in Rio Verde Foothills, then there's no water requirement. These communities are called "wildcat" developments.

The nearly year-long battle over water in Rio Verde Foothills was a fierce negotiation between the city of Scottsdale and Maricopa County, plus state lawmakers. But it did not include the city of Phoenix.

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Mackay said that didn't stop the calls from rolling in.

She believes it was a concerted effort from out-of-state players jealous about Phoenix's economic success. "They're trying to knock us off our peg," Mackay said.

The World Series baseball games are expected to bring $70 million to downtown businesses. Phoenix will get a slice of the pie in terms of sales taxes collected at restaurants and shops and hotel bed taxes.

In June, a decision by Arizona's water agency to halt construction in certain parts of the Valley because of inadequate groundwater projections sent Phoenix for a tailspin.

The shortage affected parts of the "Phoenix Active Management Area," but not the actual city of Phoenix. The areas most affected, Buckeye and Queen Creek, were dozens of miles to the east and west.

Still, large-scale manufacturers, speculative building developers and site-selection consultant firms called local Phoenix officials and business leaders in a panic.

Mayor Kate Gallego went into damage control, clarifying the city's adequate water resources and stressing Phoenix's forward-thinking strategies to shore up the city's future water security.

Now, as the city prepares to maximize economic benefits from the World Series, Phoenix's job "is to be telling facts and get rhetoric out of the way," Mackay said.

In April, the city announced plans to invest in a massive advanced water purification facility that will provide enough water to replace half of what Phoenix gets from the Colorado River each year.

In May, the council unanimously approved leaving behind a significant portion of Colorado River water in the reservoirs to help combat low levels that could harm hydropower production.

City Council approved $30 million to reopen a water plant in north Phoenix earlier this month.

Reporter Taylor Seely covers Phoenix for The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com. Reach her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com or by phone at 480-476-6116.