The town of Kearny in Pinal County faces a water emergency, with officials warning the supply could run out by July 15, 2026. According to Mayor Curtis Stacy, severe drought and an 80% cut in the town’s water allotment from the Gila River have left the community with only three months of water despite strict usage restrictions.
An emergency water decree issued in January 2026 initially urged Kearny residents to reduce their water consumption, but usage increased instead of decreasing, according to town records. Following the failure of this voluntary conservation effort, the Kearny town council implemented the strictest water restrictions permitted under local law in early April. Mayor Curtis Stacy announced the “most severe water restrictions we can impose” around April 7, 2026, with the goal of extending the town’s dwindling water supply.
Kearny’s usual annual water allotment is 600 acre-feet, but this year’s allocation was cut by more than 80% due to low lake levels, leaving only 60 acre-feet available for use.
Kearny’s water supply comes from the nearby Gila River, which is fed by the Coolidge Dam currently operating at nearly 2% capacity, officials said. The town’s usual annual water allotment is 600 acre-feet, but this year’s allocation was cut by more than 80% due to low lake levels, leaving only 60 acre-feet available for use. At the current consumption rate, this supply is projected to be exhausted by July 15, 2026, giving the town roughly three months of water remaining, according to Mayor Stacy.
The severe water restrictions prohibit residents from watering landscapes and filling swimming pools. Water use is limited strictly to washing, cleaning, and sanitation purposes, officials confirmed. Despite these measures, Mayor Stacy warned that the town “WILL run out of water on or about July 15, 2026.” He described the situation as a “life and death problem” and said, “I’m not going to kill anybody. I don’t know how else to put it.” Stacy, a longtime resident of Kearny, expressed concern about the consequences once the allotment is depleted, noting the town faces “uncharted waters” ahead.
Kearny’s population of approximately 2,000 residents is affected by the water emergency and the new restrictions, which represent the most stringent controls the town council can legally enforce. Local business owners and residents have been consulted as part of the response effort, officials said. Since the implementation of the severe restrictions, residents have begun reducing water consumption, although the supply remains critically low.
The town council’s emergency declaration No. 2026-02, filed under Kearny Town Code Section 16-11, formally acknowledges the severe water shortage and authorizes the imposed restrictions. These measures are enacted under Section 16-11-4 of the town code, according to municipal records. Officials are actively exploring alternative water supplies in partnership with state and federal agencies, but no immediate solutions have been confirmed.
Once the town’s allotment is exhausted, water will still flow through the Gila River along Kearny’s edge, but residents will not be legally permitted to use it, officials said. Mayor Stacy emphasized the uncertainty of the situation beyond the July 15 deadline, highlighting the potential inability to continue pumping water if conservation efforts fail. The town’s leadership is preparing for the possible scenarios that could unfold if the emergency persists.
The water crisis in Kearny reflects ongoing challenges related to severe drought conditions and diminished water resources affecting the region. The Coolidge Dam’s low reservoir levels have forced significant reductions in water allocations to downstream communities, including Kearny. Town officials continue to monitor the situation closely and coordinate with external partners to identify viable options to address the emergency.
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