Scottsdale’s water future demands vision, leadership
OPINION — No issue will have a greater impact on Scottsdale’s future than water.
Water is not simply another policy debate, it is the foundation of our economy, neighborhoods, quality of life and property values. Ensuring a reliable water supply requires continuous planning, investment and innovation.
Arizona has never prospered by taking water for granted. Instead, our state has become a national leader by planning decades ahead, adapting to changing conditions and implementing practical conservation strategies.
As president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, I regularly speak with executives making long-term investment decisions. Whether in semiconductors, aerospace and defense, artificial intelligence, bioscience or advanced manufacturing, they all ask the same question: Can Arizona provide the infrastructure needed to support our business for decades to come? A dependable water supply is essential to that answer.
Fortunately, Scottsdale has a strong record of investing in conservation, reclaimed water, infrastructure and advanced treatment technologies. Those investments have strengthened both our quality of life and our economic competitiveness. But the work cannot stop.
The conversation should not be framed as growth versus conservation. Responsible growth and responsible water stewardship go hand in hand. Many of Arizona’s leading technology companies are investing in water-efficient cooling systems, reclaimed water, artificial intelligence and other innovations that reduce freshwater demand while supporting economic growth.
Most importantly, we must avoid politicizing water. Fear generates headlines, but it does not produce solutions. Complacency is equally dangerous. Scottsdale needs leaders committed to transparent governance, long-term planning and continued investment in conservation and resilient infrastructure.
Planning for a secure water future is not anti-growth, anti-business or anti-environment—it is pro-Scottsdale. By continuing to invest in conservation, infrastructure and innovation, Scottsdale can remain a national model for responsible water stewardship while protecting our economy, our neighborhoods and our quality of life for generations to come.
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