Arizona and Nevada Secure Water Trade Deal with San Diego for Desalinated Water
Arizona, Nevada Agree to Trade for Desalinated Pacific Ocean Water
The New York Times
Image: The New York Times
San Diego County Water Authority has agreed to sell some of its Colorado River water rights to Arizona and Nevada, aiming to address water shortages in the region. This deal represents a significant step in water management as it marks the first large-scale inter-state water trade concerning the Colorado River.
- 01The deal allows Arizona and Nevada to access water rights without physically transporting water, relying instead on reduced withdrawals from the Colorado River.
- 02This agreement is the first of its kind, addressing urgent water shortages affecting 40 million people and 5.5 million acres of farmland in the West.
- 03Scott Cameron, acting director of the Bureau of Reclamation, emphasized the deal's potential to enhance water security in the Southwest.
- 04San Diego's desalination plant has created a surplus, enabling this trade despite ongoing legal complexities regarding water rights.
- 05Negotiations on the specifics of the trade, including pricing and water amounts, are still pending and must be resolved within a year.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
A new agreement allows the San Diego County Water Authority to sell some of its Colorado River water rights to Arizona and Nevada, addressing critical water shortages in these states. The arrangement, established on Wednesday, is a response to increasing demand and dwindling water supplies affecting a vast region that serves 40 million residents and 5.5 million acres of farmland. Although water will not be physically moved, San Diego will reduce its own withdrawals from the river, creating a surplus thanks to its desalination plant that has been operational for a decade. This landmark deal marks the first large-scale water trade between states with claims on the Colorado River, which previously lacked a legal framework for such transactions. Scott Cameron, the acting director of the Bureau of Reclamation, highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating that the agreement could significantly enhance water security in the Southwest. However, details regarding the amount of water San Diego can provide and the costs for Arizona and Nevada remain to be negotiated, necessitating further legal and managerial discussions in the near future. Dan Denham, general manager of the San Diego utility, stressed the need for swift action given the ongoing water scarcity.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
This agreement could alleviate water shortages in Arizona and Nevada, directly impacting agricultural and urban water supply.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you support the trade of water rights between states to address shortages?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.



