Water Resources, Climate Change, and Urban Vulnerability: A Case Study of Phoenix, Arizona

This paper examines the security of water resources in Phoenix, AZ, under different scenarios of climate change, consumption patterns, and reductions of available surface water. Phoenix constitutes a key site for examining the projected effects of climate change on water resources in the US West. Water providers in Phoenix rely on a mix of water sources to deliver to their customers. These include groundwater, water from the Salt and Verde River watersheds, water from the Colorado River, and effluent (water reuse).