WHY GROUNDWATER MATTERS

In much of La Paz County, groundwater is the primary source of water for homes, agriculture, and local businesses. Unlike surface water systems, our aquifers recharge slowly — especially in a desert climate.

What we withdraw today directly affects what remains tomorrow.

Sustainable groundwater management requires informed decision-making, collaboration, and long-term planning. That is the work of the Alliance.

Aquifers in La Paz County

OUR 2026 PRIORITY GOALS

These goals are developed with community input and formally adopted by the Board at the start of each year.

Public Education on Local Aquifers

Increase understanding among residents, especially those who rely solely on groundwater, about how our aquifers function and their current status.

Educational Events


Promote Aquifer Stability in McMullen Valley

Work toward achieving annual usage stasis at 9,000 acre-feet to maintain long-term aquifer health.

McMullen Valley Basin

Provide Informed Input on Groundwater Management

Offer thoughtful feedback and engagement regarding groundwater management efforts, including the Ranegras Plain AMA.

Ranegras Plain AMA

GROUNDWATER IN LA PAZ COUNTY

Groundwater systems are complex but understanding them is essential.

Explore:

  • Our Aquifers — including the McMullen Valley aquifer and Ranegras Plain AMA
  • Current Conditions & Data — usage, acre-feet explained, trends
  • Conservation & Solutions — practical strategies to extend aquifer life

Clear information builds stronger communities.

Explore Groundwater Resources

THE LABrary

The LABrary is the Alliance’s public resource hub.
Here you’ll find:

  • Aquifer basics and educational materials
  • Maps and data reports
  • Meeting summaries and strategic updates
  • Conservation guidance
  • Downloadable resources

Our goal is to make groundwater information accessible, understandable, and useful to the residents of La Paz County.

Visit the LABrary

MEET THE ALLIANCE

The Water Alliance of La Paz County is governed by a six-member Board of Directors. The Board serves as the decision-making body of the Alliance and provides leadership, oversight, and direction.

The Alliance also includes a broader Committee of invited community members who provide feedback and participate in discussion. While the Committee offers valuable input, final decisions are made by Board vote.

The Alliance is an advisory and advocacy group focused specifically on groundwater issues in La Paz County. We are not a political subdivision of the state.

Gary Saiter

President

Gary Saiter is the Chair of the Water Alliance of La Paz County and a longtime resident of Wenden, Arizona. He is a former corporate executive for 40 + years and 30+ years serving on community boards. He serves on La Paz Board of Adjustments and as General Manager of the Wenden Domestic Water Improvement District, where he has worked closely with local residents and officials on issues related to groundwater supply, water infrastructure, and community water access. Gary has been actively involved in regional discussions about groundwater sustainability and rural water policy, bringing practical, community-based perspectives to conversations about the future of water in western Arizona. Through his leadership with the Water Alliance, he helps guide efforts to improve public understanding of local aquifers, support conservation awareness, and strengthen collaboration around long-term water sustainability in La Paz County.

DeVona Saiter

Board Member,

DeVona Saiter is a Wenden, Arizona–based business owner, Planning and Zoning Commissioner, District III, Vice-Chair Wenden Domestic Water Improvement District, Industrial Development Authority, Board Member and 2018 ASU Planning Graduate, Summa Cum Laude. DeVona is a community advocate who is actively involved in community discussions around groundwater sustainability and rural water issues, bringing a local perspective to efforts focused on education, collaboration, and long-term stewardship of water resources in La Paz County.

Holly Irwin

Board Member

Holly Irwin is La Paz County District 3 Supervisor. She is an attorney specializing in water law and natural resource policy in Arizona. She brings deep expertise in groundwater management, rural water policy, and regulatory frameworks affecting Arizona’s aquifers. As an Ad Hoc Voting Member of the Water Alliance of La Paz County, Holly helps provide policy insight and legislative perspective to support informed community discussions about groundwater sustainability in the region.

Kari Ann Noeltner

Board Member

Kari Ann Noeltner is a resident of the Ranegras Plain basin in La Paz County, Arizona, and an active participant in community discussions about groundwater sustainability and rural water policy. She has been engaged in regional conversations about aquifer management, land use, and the potential impacts of agricultural and energy development on local water resources. Her perspective as a resident of a groundwater-dependent basin helps inform broader efforts to better understand and steward water resources in western Arizona.

    Sue Pullen

    Board Member

    Sue Pullen is a resident of Salome, Arizona, and a board member of the Water Alliance of La Paz County. She is actively involved in community discussions about groundwater sustainability and conservation in the region. Through her work with the Alliance, Sue supports efforts to connect residents with information and resources that promote understanding of local aquifers and responsible water stewardship in La Paz County.

    James Rinehart

    Board Member

    With over 35 years in ranch real estate, James Rinehart specializes in marketing farm, ranch, and recreational properties across the West. His work is rooted in a deep passion for land stewardship, wildlife habitat, and conservation—having been involved in more than 75,000 acres of conservation easement-related transactions.

    His work reflects a simple philosophy: strong relationships, deep knowledge, and integrity matter more than closing any single deal.

    Learn more about James.

    Philip Roxworthy

    Board Member

    Philip Roxworthy is the founder of Rox Metal Works, a bespoke live-fire cooking company established in 2010. His work blends craftsmanship, functionality, and a passion for outdoor living.

    He is also the visionary behind The McPherson Ranch, a regenerative ranch and farm in Love, Arizona, and the future home of Solitude Ranch & Resort, a luxury farm-to-table RV destination set to open in 2025. The project emphasizes sustainability, integrating into the desert landscape through the use of reclaimed materials and hemp grown on-site.

    Philip’s work reflects a commitment to craftsmanship, regenerative land use, and innovative approaches to desert living.

    Marieke McArthur

    Board Member

    Marieke McArthur is a community organizer and nonprofit project manager based in La Paz County, Arizona. She supports the Water Alliance of La Paz County by coordinating organizational development, communications, and partnerships that strengthen public understanding of local aquifers and groundwater systems. With experience in nonprofit leadership, program development, and community engagement, Marieke focuses on building collaborative initiatives that connect residents, researchers, and public agencies around water sustainability and rural resilience. She is also involved in projects related to sustainable agriculture, food security, and environmental education in rural Arizona, with an emphasis on practical solutions and long-term community stewardship.

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