The action by the Arizona Department of Water Resources stands to slow population growth for the Phoenix Active Management Area, home to 4.6 million people and one of the most rapidly expanding areas of the United States.
The state's recently concluded analysis projected a water shortfall of 4.86 million acre feet (6 billion cubic meters) in the Phoenix area over the next 100 years.
In response, the state said it will deny new certificates of Assured Water Supply, which enable home construction.
We need to have the water supplies in order to grow," said Sharon Megdal, director of the University of Arizona's Water Resources Research Center.
The Department of Water Resources said developers would need to find other sources to build.
Persons:
Sharon Megdal, Megdal, Spencer Kamps, Daniel Trotta, Richard Chang, Kim Coghill
Organizations:
Arizona Department of Water Resources, Phoenix Active Management, Supply, University of Arizona's Water Resources Research Center, The Department of Water Resources, Central, Home Builders Association of Central, Phoenix, Thomson
Locations:
Arizona, Phoenix, United States, Central Arizona, Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, Colorado