Arizona Supreme Court Upholds Chandler Water Deal Against Roosevelt District

Arizona Supreme Court Rules Chandler Water Agreement Valid Through 2086

PHOENIX — The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Monday that a water agreement between the City of Chandler and the Roosevelt Water Conservation District remains valid and enforceable through 2086.

The decision restores access to a portion of Chanderls long-term water planning after the district stopped honoring the contract in 2016. The ruling also clarifies that statutes of limitations do not apply to claims brought by public entities.

What the Dispute Was About

Chandler and RWCD signed a Domestic Water Service Agreement in 2002. The deal allowed the city to purchase water tied to the Roosevelt Water Conservation District as farmland in the area gave way to growing neighborhoods.

Between 2002 and 2015, Chandler purchased more than 40,000 acre-feet of water under the agreement using a formula based on Salt River Projects annual surface water allocations. An acre-foot is enough water to supply roughly two to three households for a year.

Around 2016, the Roosevelt Water Conservation District stopped honoring the agreement and argued that the contract had ended. Chandler residents continued paying about $1.7 million each year in property taxes tied to the district.

The Courts Decision

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the agreement remains in force. The court explained that the one-year limitations statute does not apply to claims brought by public entities, meaning government bodies like cities are not always restricted by the same deadlines that apply to private parties.

Why This Matters

Arizona law requires cities to show they have a 100-year assured water supply before approving new development. Agreements like the 2002 deal help cities meet this requirement.

"Nearly 27,000 Chandler households have paid Roosevelt Water Conservation District property taxes for years without water benefits," said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke in a statement released April 29, 2026. "Water is a critical public resource, and this ruling restores a key component of Chandlers 100-year assured water supply."

The ruling also addresses a broader legal issue involving time limits on lawsuits. By clarifying how legal time limits apply to public entities, the decision could influence how other water disputes are handled across the state.

What Comes Next

Chandler officials stated they remain open to working with the Roosevelt Water Conservation District to carry out the agreement in a way that is transparent and fair. Residents within the district are encouraged to stay involved through board meetings and local elections.

---

Sources:

• https://www.western-water.com/2026/05/01/arizona-supreme-court-backs-chandler-water-deal-through-2086/
• https://www.chandleraz.gov/news-center/arizona-supreme-court-rules-chandlers-favor-rwcd-water-case
• https://www.kjzz.org/politics/2026-04-28/deal-between-chandler-and-roosevelt-water-conservation-district-is-valid-court-rules