EPCOR earns historic ADAWS designation

On October 7, 2025, EPCOR marked a major milestone in Arizona water policy. At a celebration event held in Greater Phoenix’s West Valley, EPCOR was officially awarded the first-ever Alternative Designation of Assured Water Supply (ADAWS) by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). 

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed the certificate and presented it to EPCOR’s Senior Vice President (SVP) Shawn Bradford, recognizing the significance of this achievement.

This is the first ADAWS designation ever issued, and the first 100-year assured water supply designation in the Phoenix Active Management Area in 25 years. It’s a landmark win for EPCOR and a turning point for water planning in Arizona.

In Arizona, water providers must demonstrate they can supply water for 100 years before new residential developments can move forward. ADAWS introduces a new pathway to meet that requirement using a mix of renewable sources and groundwater. It’s a more flexible approach that protects aquifers while enabling responsible growth. 

For EPCOR, the designation applies to our West Valley service area. It secures water reliability for more than 140,000 residents and unlocks the potential to support 60,000 new homes. It also ends a two-year development moratorium in places like Buckeye and Surprise, where groundwater limitations had stalled progress. 

As EPCOR SVP Shawn Bradford shared at the ceremony, “ADAWS marks a new era in water management. It equips the state with more tools to meet the times and allows water providers like EPCOR to shift from groundwater-based development to long-term, sustainable growth.” 

This designation reflects years of collaboration between EPCOR, state leaders, and water policy experts. EPCOR worked closely with ADWR and the Governor’s Water Policy Council to help shape a solution that balances growth with sustainability. 

“ADAWS is living proof that when it matters, Arizona can come together and produce water solutions,” Shawn said. “This designation creates total accountability for replenishing our entire portfolio, leaving as close to a net neutral impact on groundwater as we can get.” 

This milestone reinforces EPCOR’s role as a trusted utility focused on long-term planning, community impact, and water innovation. It’s a testament to what’s possible when regulators, utilities and policymakers work together to solve complex challenges. 

We’re proud to celebrate this achievement alongside our partners at the Governor’s Office, the Arizona Department of Water Resources, the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District, and the Central Arizona Project.  

EPCOR is committed to advancing sustainable water solutions for Arizona’s future.