The state of Arizona announced that it will not approve permits for new housing in Phoenix anymore. This is due to the state suffering from a huge drought and decline in water supply for many years.
The shortage of rainfall in the city of Phoenix in Arizona resulted in residents relying on the Colorado River and the underground aquifers for water supply. Unfortunately, the residents of Maricopa County alone have been obtaining water at an alarming rate, with a total of 2.2 billion gallons per day. This too much water has been used in houses, businesses, farms, and public programs.According to Stelle, due to the overuse in water supply, both the Colorado River and the underground aquifers are running out. State officials predicted that in the next 100 years, the city of Phoenix will need to have more than 1.5 trillion gallons of water than it currently has.
Housing in Phoenix Banned Due to Lack of Water
An article in The New York Times states that due to the decline in water supply, Governor Katie Hobbs announced that building permits will not be approved for new housing in Phoenix anymore. This applies in particular to single-family housing in Phoenix that rely on the wells in Maricopa County.
Unfortunately, the ban on new housing in Phoenix will not put an end to the 80,000 building permits for new housing in Phoenix that have already been approved. In addition, the ban on new housing in Phoenix also does not include projects that depend on river water or obtain their water supply from businesses and farms nearby.
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