Buckeye, AZ Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Reclaimed water use
- Mandatory when available
- Applies to
- Non-potable uses only
- Ownership
- Sole property of the City
- Unauthorized use
- Unlawful under § 25-3-2(D)
Summary
Buckeye, Arizona requires new developments to use city-owned reclaimed water for non-potable uses whenever it's available, and City Code § 25-3-2 keeps ownership of that recycled wastewater with the City rather than the developer who built the treatment plant.
In those areas where the City is providing water service to its customers, the use of reclaimed water shall be required by the City for non-potable water uses to the extent that reclaimed water is available to the subdivision or development.B.In those areas where the City is providing water service to its customers, no other person or entity shall be permitted to pump groundwater for non-potable water uses without the written approval of the Mayor and Council, unless pursuant to valid groundwater rights or other rights as issued by the Arizona Department of Water Resources. Groundwater pumping by an owner and/or developer of a subdivision or development for non-potable uses pursuant to valid groundwater rights or other rights issued by the Arizona Department of Water Resources will be permitted until such time as reclaimed water is available to the subdivision or development in a quantity that is sufficient to provide an alternate supply of water for the non-potable water use.C.The provisions of this section 25-3-1 shall not apply to an owner and/or developer of a subdivision or development located within the boundaries of an irrigation district organized and existing pursuant to Arizona law that elects to receive non-potable water or reclaimed water from the applicable irrigation district for non-potable water uses at the subdivision or development. (Ord. No. 33-11, § 2, 12-6-2011)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 22 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Buckeye City Code § 25-3-1(A) requires new subdivisions and developments served by the city to use reclaimed (recycled) water for non-potable purposes whenever the city has reclaimed water available to serve them, rather than pumping groundwater. Section 25-3-2 then makes all reclaimed water produced by city wastewater treatment facilities the City of Buckeye's sole and exclusive property, developers who build the treatment infrastructure do not gain ownership of the water it produces, and requires a written agreement plus city-set compensation before anyone else may receive or use it. Using City reclaimed water outside an approved agreement or location is unlawful.
Violations & Fines
Receiving or using City-owned reclaimed water outside an approved agreement or location is unlawful under § 25-3-2(D); unpermitted groundwater pumping for non-potable use is also restricted under § 25-3-1(B).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Buckeye's recycled water?
Must new developments use recycled water?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Buckeye
Compare Buckeye to another location·View the Arizona water use rules overview
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Recycled Water Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Maricopa County handle recycled water rules.