Gilbert homeowner guide · September 2026
Colorado River headlines can make it sound as though a cut to Arizona’s allocation immediately becomes a cut at every household tap. Gilbert’s situation takes a little more explanation. The town uses several water sources, has stored water underground, and is planning for reduced river deliveries beginning in 2027.
Quick answer
Will Colorado River cuts affect water for Gilbert homeowners? They will reduce a source that represents about 41% of Gilbert’s water portfolio, but the town plans to use other supplies and stored water to keep serving customers. Gilbert remains in Stage 1 in 2026, which requests voluntary conservation. A move to Stage 2 in 2027 is possible, not yet announced.
Where does Gilbert’s water come from?
Gilbert does not depend on one river. The town describes its overall water resources portfolio this way:
41%
Colorado River water through the Central Arizona Project
40%
Salt and Verde River supplies through Salt River Project
15%
Reclaimed water and recharge resources
4%
Safe-yield groundwater
Source: Town of Gilbert water supply portfolio. These categories describe water resources; reclaimed water used directly for landscaping is not drinking water delivered to household taps.
The Salt and Verde Rivers are a different watershed from the Colorado River. A Colorado River delivery reduction does not automatically reduce that separate supply. Gilbert also uses highly treated reclaimed water for non-drinking uses, including landscape irrigation, and recharges surplus water underground. The town says it has used all of its reclaimed water for beneficial purposes since 1986.
These other sources give Gilbert ways to respond to a Colorado River shortage. They do not make the town immune to drought, infrastructure costs, or future supply decisions.
What did the federal government decide for 2027 and 2028?
On August 21, 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released operating guidelines for the Colorado River in 2027 and 2028. They call for 1.25 million acre-feet less water to be delivered to the three Lower Basin states each year during that period.
The federal release says that if the states implement their proposed sharing agreement, the annual reductions would be 760,000 acre-feet for Arizona, 440,000 for California, and 50,000 for Nevada. That state-by-state division is conditional in the federal announcement. The guidelines sit within a longer decision framework that allows operating rules to be revisited as conditions and agreements change.
Gilbert says its Colorado River supply will be reduced beginning January 1, 2027, and it is preparing for a reduction of about 20% of that particular supply. That is not a 20% reduction in every household’s water service or in Gilbert’s entire water portfolio.
What do Stage 1 and Stage 2 mean for residents?
Gilbert activated Stage 1 of its Water Supply Reduction Management Plan in 2022 and said it would remain in Stage 1 during 2026. At this stage, the town reduces municipal water use and asks residents and businesses to conserve voluntarily. It has not announced a mandatory household watering schedule under Stage 1.
Stage 2 is possible in 2027 if projected demand and renewable supplies meet the plan’s threshold and the Town Council declares it. Customer conservation measures at this stage are described as voluntary, while enforcement against wasting water becomes stronger. Stage 2 is a distinct local decision; it does not take effect automatically when federal river guidelines begin.
What to watch
Look for a formal Gilbert announcement about any stage change and the specific actions that would accompany it. The town’s Colorado River water shortage page is the most direct place to check current guidance.
What backup supply has Gilbert prepared?
Gilbert reported in August that it had stored nearly 560,000 acre-feet of water underground since 1989. That stored-water balance gives the town a resource to recover during surface-water shortages, provided the necessary wells and treatment infrastructure can deliver it where needed.
Over the preceding six years, the town said it had expanded its North Water Treatment Plant and drilled eight additional wells. It has also invested in advanced metering and conservation programs. These are practical parts of keeping service reliable as the water mix changes; building and operating them has a cost.
Gilbert reported that its population grew 21% from 2017 to 2025 while overall water use stayed roughly level, including a 5% decrease from 2024 to 2025. That is encouraging evidence of efficiency, though it is not a guarantee about future river conditions or household rates.
What does this mean for your home and budget?
For now, Gilbert’s message is that it has varied supplies and stored water to manage the expected reduction. A river cut does not mean a homeowner should expect the tap to stop working. At the same time, no utility can promise that service conditions and costs will never change.
Water costs deserve a place in a homebuying budget. Gilbert’s water rate adjustment began in 2024, and another increase took effect with April 2026 utility bills. Ask for the property’s recent utility history when available, and consider how landscaping, a pool, irrigation equipment, and the season can affect your own use.
For homeowners, checking irrigation for leaks and learning the town’s conservation options are useful steps that do not require waiting for a new shortage stage. Gilbert offers water-use information and programs through its official resources. Broader local questions, such as proposed data-center rules and water use, should be evaluated separately from the supply of a particular home.
If you are relocating, Donna’s Gilbert area guide can help you explore local communities. We can also discuss property-specific features and utility costs as part of your search.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gilbert under mandatory residential water restrictions in 2026?
Gilbert says it remains in Stage 1 in 2026. The stage calls for municipal reductions and voluntary conservation by residents and businesses, without a mandatory household watering schedule announced under Stage 1.
Does a 20% river cut mean 20% less water at my tap?
No. Gilbert is preparing for a reduction of about 20% of its Colorado River supply, one component of its larger portfolio. The town plans to use other sources and stored water to meet customer demand.
Will Gilbert enter Stage 2 in 2027?
It is possible, but it requires a local decision based on projected supply and demand. Check Gilbert’s official shortage updates for any declaration and current customer guidance.
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Have questions about buying in Gilbert?
Water and utility costs are reasonable questions to bring into a home search. Speak with Donna Allman about Gilbert neighborhoods, property features, and the information to review before you make a decision.
Water operations, shortage stages, conservation rules, and utility rates can change. This overview is dated September 2026; verify current requirements with the Town of Gilbert and review the specific property’s utility information.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 2027–2028 Colorado River operating guidelines, August 21, 2026.
- Town of Gilbert, Water Supply.
- Town of Gilbert, water strategy and investments update, August 12, 2026.
- Town of Gilbert, preparation for Colorado River reductions, August 24, 2026.
- Town of Gilbert, 2026 shortage and Stage 1 update.
- Town of Gilbert, Reclaimed Water.
- Town of Gilbert, 2026 utility rate changes.