Phoenix Joins Historic Colorado River Conservation Effort

The Phoenix City Council approved a significant commitment to regional water conservation efforts by agreeing to a landmark initiative in partnership with the United States Bureau of Reclamation, the Arizona Department of Water Resources, and Central Arizona Project.

In the face of severe drought conditions and historically low water levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, this agreement aims to preserve the Colorado River, a critical water source for Phoenix and the Southwest.

Under this agreement, the City of Phoenix will voluntarily forgo up to 50,000 acre-feet of its Colorado River entitlement each year from 2023 to 2025. In return, Phoenix will receive compensation of up to $20 million in 2023 and potentially more in 2024 and 2025 if additional conservation efforts are implemented.

“Conserving water and using it efficiently is in our DNA, and we will continue our efforts to bolster Western water security,” said Mayor Gallego. “We recognize that safeguarding the Colorado River is not just about protecting our city’s water supply but also about ensuring the future viability of the Southwest. This decision reinforces our commitment to sustainable water management and builds on a long history of collaboration with our partners across the state.”

This initiative is part of the larger Lower Colorado Conservation and Efficiency Program funded by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, designed to incentivize water users to conserve water to protect Lake Mead from catastrophic risks.

“This agreement represents a significant step towards long-term water sustainability in the region,” said Cynthia Campbell, Phoenix Water Resources Management Advisor. “By choosing to conserve our Colorado River entitlement, Phoenix is leading by example and demonstrating that we all have a role in preserving our most precious resource.”

The funds received from this agreement will be allocated to the Water Services Department’s Water Fund, which will support water conservation programs and resource portfolio augmentation through the Colorado River Resiliency Fund. The agreement will be active until December 31, 2025.