When buying property in Arizona, access to water can impact decisions, especially in rural areas. Unreliable communication about water security impacts buyer’s confidence. Ensuring licensed agents are equipped to communicate accurately about water resources is critical for clients and communities. This necessity motivated the REAL Water project, a new initiative reimagining Arizona water education.
Arizona law currently requires real estate agents to complete mandatory continuing education on water topics. However, researchers have found that current instruction is limited, can fail to address complex topics (e.g., stream adjudications and Active Management Areas), and could be more beneficial if tailored for local communities.
REAL Water project targeted workshops address frequently encountered client questions about groundwater reliability and water quality. The REAL Water team supplements the state curriculum with a new digital learning portal which offers expanded water-focused material. It allows instructors to tailor content regionally, incorporating up-to-date tools from the Department of Water Resources and the Arizona Water Blueprint.
The project's purpose extends beyond license renewal compliance. Agents are often the first professionals to contact new residents or investors. If they are properly informed, they gain the ability to speak confidently with out-of-state buyers, countering assumptions that Arizona’s water situation is dire. This, in turn, helps sustain the region's economy and culture of conservation
