ASSOCIATION PROFILE
Building Consensus in the Valley of the Sun: The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association Providing water to the residents and businesses throughout the Valley of the Sun in Arizona is not an easy task. Meeting the varying interests of municipalities and utilities within the metropolitan region requires a unified strategy for water management. In March 1969, the cities of Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe created the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) to devise such a strategy. Today, the organization is double its original size and serves as a forum for area leaders to discuss issues, formulate strategy, and advocate for the region’s municipal water interests. Tyler Young, a writer for Municipal Water Leader, spoke with AMWUA Executive Director Warren Tenney about the role the organization plays in helping to promote a consistent and unified message for municipal water providers in the region, the complexities some AMWUA members face, and the association’s outlook on the future. Tyler Young: Please tell us about how you became involved with the water industry and became the executive director of AMWUA.
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of Water Resources and the Central Arizona Project. I learned how important it is to interact on all levels within the Arizona water community. While I was at Metro, one of my tasks was to follow the meetings of the Central Arizona Project’s board of directors. In 2008, the election for Pima County’s representative came up, and I decided to throw my hat in the ring. I won as one of the four project board members from Pima County. I learned a lot during the 7 years I served on the board. In early 2016, I had the great opportunity to take on the professional challenge of serving as the AMWUA executive director. My 22 years
AMWUA Executive Director Warren Tenney.
MUNICIPAL WATER LEADER
PHOTO BY SALT RIVER PROJECT AND COURTESY OF WARREN TENNEY.
Warren Tenney: I entered the water industry through a nontraditional route. In college, I majored in history, and while pursuing a PhD in history, I got a part-time job with an entity working on southern Arizona water issues. From there, I became immersed in the field, learning about the overall industry and how many moving parts and players affect Arizona water policy. I then moved to the Metro Water District in Tucson, which had just recently become a public utility. I started as the administrative assistant to the general manager but was quickly given tasks such as developing a conservation program. I was exposed to numerous aspects of a water utility and was working with Metro’s board of directors and interacting with other water providers and entities, including the Arizona Department
