Phoenix Enters Drought Stage 2, Urges 5% Water Use Reduction
Phoenix is implementing Stage 2 of its Drought Management Plan in January, calling for residents to voluntarily reduce water usage by 5% due to anticipated cuts in Colorado River supply.
Phoenix, AZ, November 10, 2026 — Phoenix is set to implement Stage 2 of its Drought Management Plan beginning in January. This activation is a direct response to anticipated reductions in the supply of water from the Colorado River.
Under Stage 2 of the plan, city officials are calling for residents to make voluntary efforts to reduce their water consumption. The target set for this voluntary reduction is 5% of current water usage. This measure aims to conserve water resources in anticipation of future supply challenges.
The decision to move into Stage 2 comes as projections indicate potential cuts to the Colorado River’s water allocation. The Colorado River is a critical water source for many communities in the southwestern United States, including Phoenix.
Details regarding the specific timeline for the anticipated Colorado River supply cuts were not provided in the summary. Similarly, the exact commencement date within January for Stage 2 was not specified, beyond the month itself. The summary also did not detail any potential escalation plans or further stages of the Drought Management Plan beyond Stage 2.
Residents are encouraged to adopt water-saving practices to meet the voluntary 5% reduction goal. Further information on water conservation tips and the city’s Drought Management Plan is expected to be made available by Phoenix officials.
Story summarized from the original created by Jessica.Johnson@fox.com (Jessica Johnson) on www.fox10phoenix.com, see more information here.
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