Phoenix is located at the confluence of the Gila and Salt rivers. Municipal water use is flat since the 1990s while the population has increased from 1 to 1.5 million [1]. Its modern canal system is built on the ruins of irrigation works built by the Hohoklams over 1000 years ago [2]. Locations around the metro area have been inhabited for even longer. And finally, agriculture is 70% of water use state-wide [3]. Some embarrassingly large portion of that is used to grow alfalfa which is exported to the middle east where they have actual deserts.

What scenario did you have in mind where the city runs out of water? I bet the nice folks who actually do this kind of work would love to hear about it. They seem exceedingly confident in their water portfolio [4]. Or maybe you’re just speculating; a little curiosity goes a long way [5].

[1] https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservices/resourcesconservation/...

[2] https://news.wef.org/ancient-engineering-lays-groundwork-for...

[3] https://www.arizonawaterfacts.com/water-your-facts

[4] https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservices/resourcesconservation/...

[5] https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environme...