Tom Buschatzke

Director, Arizona Department of Water Resources

Tom Buschatzke was appointed Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources in January 2015. With over four decades of water management experience, he is responsible for carrying out ADWR’s mission: To safeguard the health, safety and economic welfare of the public by protecting, conserving and enhancing Arizona’s water supplies in a bold, thoughtful and innovative manner.

Mr. Buschatzke serves as Arizona’s principal negotiator on matters relating to the Colorado River, and chairs both the Arizona Water Banking Authority and the Governor’s Water Augmentation, Innovation and Conservation Council. He represents the State in Indian water right negotiations. In addition, he is the U.S. representative to the Binational Desalination Work Group, which is charged with exploring desalination opportunities with the Republic of Mexico. Prior to his appointment as ADWR Director, he served for 23 years with the City of Phoenix, ultimately as the Water Resources Management Advisor, responsible for policy development.

He has served on the Board of Directors of the Western Urban Water Coalition and as Chair of the Coalition’s Endangered Species Act Committee. He was previously a Commissioner on the Arizona Water Banking Authority and the Arizona Water Protection Fund.