The federal government and water agencies in Arizona, California and Nevada signed a landmark agreement Wednesday to explore ways to exchange supplies across the drought-challenged Colorado River Basin.
The goal is to find ways to work across state borders on desalination, recycled water and other projects to ensure adequate water supplies for 43 million residents in three states.
Under the agreement, future water exchanges would use existing infrastructure and avoid costly new investments without changing existing rights or obligating parties to projects.
A memorandum of understanding was signed at the desalination plant in Carlsbad by representatives of the federal Bureau of Reclamation, San Diego County Water Authority, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Arizona Department of Water Resources, Central Arizona Project and Salt River Project.
“As Colorado River conditions grow more challenging, regional partnerships like this are an essential tool to help ensure sustainable water supplies,” said John Entsminger, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
“This agreement allows us to explore forward-thinking, strategic investments that will strengthen water resilience in Southern Nevada and across the Lower Basin,” he said.
Long-term drought has reduced Colorado River system water storage to about 36% of capacity, and the combination of the lowest California snowpack in decades and record-breaking heat has further intensified drought conditions.
The San Diego County Water Authority is a key participant thanks to excess supplies from the Carlsbad plant and the giant Pure Water recycling project in the city of San Diego.
“Next-generation strategies in the face of climate volatility must include interstate partnerships that deliver water where it’s needed most,” said Dan Denham, general manager of the Water Authority.
“We appreciate the collaboration with the Bureau of Reclamation and all the other agencies involved,” he said. “New ideas are challenging to implement, but it’s in everyone’s best interest to make this work.”
