October 29, 2026 · North Central Phoenix

The NCPHA Heat & Water Symposium.

The North Central Phoenix Homeowners Association brought the City of Phoenix, Salt River Project, and North Central neighbors together to talk about where our water comes from, how to keep flood irrigation flowing, and how to keep the neighborhood cool. Here's every talk, plus the takeaways that matter most for irrigated homeowners.

1,200 yrs Lowest Colorado River flows in at least
2.3M Acre-feet SRP's reservoirs hold
23,000 SRP irrigation customers, and shrinking
~$95/yr Average IWDD cost, quarter acre
Watch the Whole Evening

The full symposium (70 min).

Short on time? Each talk is broken out below with its own video and key points. Jump to any section of the full recording:

Shared with the permission of the North Central Phoenix Homeowners Association, an all-volunteer neighborhood organization.

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Talk by Talk

What each speaker covered:

Pt 1 · City of Phoenix

Phoenix's water future: a problem (and a plan)

Dr. Max Wilson, Water Resource Management Advisor · 25 min

  • The Colorado River supplies about 40% of the water Phoenix delivers, and it's seeing its lowest flows in at least 1,200 years. The city is planning for cuts that start around 50% and may deepen.
  • Phoenix delivers about the same total amount of water today as it did in 1997, despite decades of growth.
  • The plan: water stored underground over the past 20 to 30 years, expanded dams plus the new drought pipeline through the Dreamy Draw, leased water from other districts, and Pure Water Phoenix, which purifies recycled water to drinking quality.
  • From the city's perspective, neighborhoods using SRP flood irrigation are "a phenomenal use of water resources."

Learn more: Why SRP water rights are so secure →

Pt 2 · Salt River Project

How flood irrigation works

Stephen Peterson, Field Service Liaison · 9 min

  • Arizona follows "first in time, first in right," which gives Salt River Valley lands some of the most senior rights to the Salt and Verde Rivers.
  • SRP's reservoirs hold about 2.3 million acre-feet, and one good winter can fill them completely. That last happened in 2023.
  • SRP delivers water to the gate at the high point of your neighborhood. From there, the pipes and ditches are private and maintained by the owners.
  • SRP offers free new-customer appointments and system education: a liaison will come out and teach you to irrigate, from the gate to your lawn.

Learn more: What is flood irrigation? →

Pt 3 · NCPHA

Grass vs. artificial turf and gravel

Mary Crozier, President, NCPHA · 4 min

  • Artificial turf doesn't cool the environment the way living plants do. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension reports turf surfaces can reach 120 to 180 degrees on hot days.
  • Installing turf means removing vegetation, disturbing roots, and compacting soil, which can seriously damage nearby mature trees. The neighborhood has seen big trees die as a result.
  • Water alone isn't enough: the neighborhood also needs working infrastructure, ongoing maintenance, and neighbors who understand the system.

Learn more: In defense of Arizona's trees →

Pt 4 · North Central Resident

Living in an irrigation district: Rancho Solano

Scott Mardian · 4 min

  • Rancho Solano put its own irrigation district in place when the neighborhood was platted.
  • Irrigation fees are collected with property taxes, so no one has to chase neighbors and nobody's delivery is disrupted.
  • A shared line breaking under the street can mean a bond, a licensed plumber, and tens of thousands of dollars. The district builds a reserve for exactly that.
  • Bonus: an annual potluck meeting and three more neighborhood parties a year.

Learn more: Irrigation Water Delivery Districts, explained →

Pt 5 · North Central Resident

Flood irrigation without a district

Loring Kort, NCPHA member · 2 min

  • A home built in 1948 on former grapefruit orchard land, with an irrigation system likely older than the house.
  • Fixing one problem often uncovers the next, and the neighbors have even run a GoFundMe to keep the system going.
  • Owners who don't use the water often don't see the shared line as their responsibility. A district would end a lot of those conversations "and keep the neighbors neighborly."

Learn more: Irrigation Water Delivery Districts, explained →

Pt 6 · Salt River Project

How to form an Irrigation Water Delivery District

Stephen Peterson, Field Service Liaison · 4.5 min

  • Many private systems are 60 to 80 years old, and SRP is seeing a huge spike in failures.
  • An IWDD is a Maricopa County special taxing district that funds maintenance and repairs. The average SRP sees is about $95 a year for a quarter acre.
  • SRP has a team that walks neighborhoods through formation and offers a $1,500 rebate toward the fees.
  • Three neighbors serve as elected trustees for two-year terms and handle the budget and repairs.

Learn more: Irrigation Water Delivery Districts, explained →

Pt 7 · Q&A

Audience questions for the City and SRP

Dr. Max Wilson & Stephen Peterson · 21.5 min

  • Will flood irrigation be restricted? SRP and the City both said there are no plans to restrict irrigation for irrigated lots. SRP is also exploring raising Bartlett Dam.
  • SRP has about 23,000 irrigation customers in total, and that number is going down every day. If you have access to flood irrigation, use it.
  • Plus questions on agriculture's role, the SRP and CAP interconnect, and landscape meters.

Learn more: Flood irrigation water rights in Arizona →

Keep Going

Where to go from here.

Neighbors

Start an IWDD

What a district costs, what it does, and the step-by-step process with SRP.

Read the guide →
The Neighborhood

North Central Phoenix Guide

The Murphy Bridle Path, Central's olive trees, the market, and where the water still flows.

Read the guide →
Repairs

Contractors I Trust

Who to call when a valve, gate, or line needs work.

See the list →
Flood Irrigation, Start to Finish

Have water, or want it?

Whether you're buying a flood irrigated home, selling one, or trying to get the most out of the water you already have, I can help. Start with the free Buyer's Guide (it's just as useful for current owners), or reach out and we'll talk about your property.

Get the Free Buyer's Guide Work With Camille

Takeaways are summarized from speakers' remarks at the October 29, 2026 NCPHA Heat & Water Symposium and are general and educational. Figures and programs can change; confirm details with the City of Phoenix, SRP, or Maricopa County. This page is an independent recap and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the City of Phoenix, SRP, or the North Central Phoenix Homeowners Association.