The Goldwater Institute has filed a lawsuit against the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) on behalf of the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona (HBACA), challenging new water regulations imposed without legislative approval. Jon Riches, Vice President for Litigation at the Goldwater Institute, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the lawsuit, which claims the ADWR’s new rules have halted housing developments in growing areas like Queen Creek and Buckeye.

The lawsuit targets two key regulations: the AMA-Wide Unmet Demand Rule and the AMA-Wide Depth-to-Water Rule, which restrict developers from obtaining Certificates of Assured Water Supply. Riches argues that these rules, imposed without proper legislative oversight, effectively block new construction, worsening Arizona’s housing crisis. Meanwhile, ADWR Director Tom Buschatzke maintains that the department followed the appropriate processes in setting the regulations. Buschatzke visited Arizona Horizon later in the week:    • Arizona Department of Water Resources...