Colorado River Updates

Arizona Water Company operates 24 water systems across Arizona. These systems range in size from eight connections to over 30,000 connections. Our water supplies include groundwater, Colorado River water (i.e. Central Arizona Project or CAP), and effluent. Each system utilizes one or more of these supplies and impacts due to drought or shortage affect each system differently.

What was the recent announcement regarding the Colorado River?

On August 15th, 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released the Colorado River Basin August 2024 24-Month Study, which determines the tiers for the coordinated operation of Lake Powell and Lake Mead for 2025. Lake Mead will continue to operate in a Tier 1 Shortage Condition with required shortages by Arizona and Nevada. Arizona’s Colorado River apportionment in 2025 under the Tier 1 condition will be reduced by 512,000 acre-feet, from the 2.8 million acre-feet allotment to Arizona. None of Arizona Water Company’s Colorado River supplies delivered through the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal are impacted by the Tier 1 shortage condition in 2025.

“The Colorado River System is already showing significant improvements as a result of water savings from the historic investments in conservation and infrastructure improvements through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act,” said Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton.

Who will be impacted by this shortage declaration?

This shortage declaration continues to affect deliveries of CAP water in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties, primarily to agricultural water users. Some water providers who deliver potable (drinkable) CAP water to residents and businesses in these counties may see very small reductions in 2025. However, as noted above, none of Arizona Water Company’s Colorado River supplies delivered through the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal are impacted by the Tier 1 shortage condition in 2025.

How does this shortage declaration affect Arizona Water Company customers?

Potable water deliveries to Arizona Water Company customers are not expected to be affected at this time. Arizona Water Company’s primary source of water is groundwater pumped from wells. Arizona Water Company does have multiple contracts to use CAP water which are used to offset our groundwater pumping for most of our water systems located within Maricopa and Pinal counties.

What else is happening related to the Colorado River?

The current Colorado River Operating Guidelines will expire at the end of 2026. Lower Basin States have submitted an Alternative Operating Criteria Proposal to the Bureau of Reclamation for the Post-2026 Colorado River Operating Guidelines. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be published for public review in December 2024 and a Record of Decision is expected in 2026.

What is causing the shortage on the Colorado River?

The Colorado River Basin has been in a prolonged drought. Overall, we are experiencing the driest conditions in the basin in more than 1,200 years. Efforts to conserve plus favorable weather and run-off have helped the system to rebound somewhat since 2022. Continued efforts by all Colorado River water users are necessary to fully recover from crisis elevations in Lake Powell and Lake Mead.

Should I conserve water?

Water conservation is an important way to help preserve all our water resources. In fact, as a state, Arizona uses about as much water today as we did in 1957. This is partially due to conservation efforts throughout the state. We are proud of the efforts of our residents and businesses to conserve water, and we encourage everyone throughout the state to use water wisely. More information on water conservation and water-saving tips can be found at: https://www.azwater.com/conservation/