Climate change, overuse and population growth are forcing western states to reevaluate their water usage. Arizona is making do with less, their Colorado River water deliveries reduced in January of this year and another reduction scheduled for January 2024. These reductions combined with long-term groundwater pumping and extensive population growth compelled the state to enact conservation strategies. Policies and practices related to irrigation, grass, groundwater pumping, stormwater capture and reuse have proven effective, keeping the state’s water use static since the mid-1980s, even with a 40% increase in population.[1] Anticipating future cuts, the state continues to expand its cache of water strategies.

In 2019, the city of Phoenix received a Water Marketing Strategy Grant from the Bureau of Reclamation to develop the Central Arizona Water Clearinghouse in partnership with Tucson. The purpose of the Clearinghouse is “to facilitate future water market transactions and maximize use of infrastructure and storage capacity to manage water shortages,” fostering collaboration among municipal water agencies.[2] Additionally, cities throughout the state ally on infrastructure, demonstrated at the wastewater treatment plant co-owned by five cities (Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale and Tempe), and Phoenix is currently building an advanced purified treatment facility with the intention of securing similar collaborative support.

As the state prepares for escalating water vulnerability, it must find ways to avoid shortages while adapting to less. A change in mindset is developing, shifting from stockpiling water for the good of one community to collaborating for the good of multiple communities, an acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of future water as water shortfalls become the new normal.

[1] Vasilogambros, Matt. “These Cities Coordinate to Save Water, a Model for Parched Western Areas.” Stateline, 25 July 2023, stateline.org/2023/07/25/these-cities-coordinate-to-save-water-a-model-for-parched-western-areas/.

[2] 2019-11-08 Water Marketing Grants - Bureau of Reclamation, www.usbr.gov/watersmart/watermarketing/docs/2019/2019-11-08-Water-Marketing-Grants.pdf. Accessed 7 Aug. 2023.