Arizona will not allow new housing construction in the Phoenix area that depends on groundwater, a decision that comes as the state grapples with a multi-decade drought and diminishing water supplies. The decision by the Arizona Department of Water Resources applies only to groundwater supplies and would not affect current homeowners who already have an assured water source. Earlier this year, Arizona projected that developers planning to build homes in the desert west of Phoenix don't have enough groundwater supplies to execute those plans. The decision would allow developers to continue to build in the affected areas but would require them to find alternatives to groundwater supplies. During a nationwide housing shortage, developers are hoping to build homes in growing metropolitan regions such as Phoenix despite water shortages.

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Persons: Florence Wednesday, Katie Hobbs Organizations: Arizona Gov, Arizona Department of Water Resources, U.S . Locations: Pinal County, AZ, Florence, Arizona, Phoenix, Colorado