More than 30 water agencies and providers have committed to doing more in reducing water demands and helping to protect the Colorado River system.

In a November 16, 2022, press release issued by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the District reported that a Memorandum of Understanding was delivered to the Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton.  The Memorandum was signed by municipal and public water providers in the Upper and Lower Colorado River Basin who affirmed their commitments to implement comprehensive and innovative water conservation programs, initiatives, policies, and actions within their communities.  According to the District’s press release, key measures include:

• Expanding water efficiency programs for indoor and outdoor water use.
• Implementing programs and policies reducing and replacing non-functional, decorative grass by 30 percent while protecting urban landscapes and trees canopies.
• Increasing water reuse and recycling programs where feasible.
• Implementing water efficiency strategies and best practices, such as water loss controls, conservation-based rate structures, industrial and commercial conservation, land use coordination and other suitable conservation strategies within each community.

Participating parties from six of the seven Colorado River Basin states include:

Arizona:

• Central Arizona Project
• City of Chandler
• City of Mesa
• City of Peoria
• City of Phoenix
• City of Tempe
• City of Tucson
• Scottsdale Water
• Town of Gilbert

California:

• City of Burbank Water and Power
• City of Santa Monica
• Coachella Valley Water District
• Eastern Municipal Water District
• Foothill Municipal Water District
• Long Beach Water
• Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
• Rancho California Water District
• San Diego County Water Authority
• Western Municipal Water District

Colorado:

• Aurora Water
• Castle Rock Water
• Colorado Springs Utilities
• Denver Water
• Pueblo Water
• Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District

Nevada:

• Southern Nevada Water Authority

New Mexico:

• Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority
• City of Santa Fe

Utah:

• Central Utah Water Conservancy District
• Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District
• Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities
• Washington County Water Conservancy District

The November 15 Memorandum of Understanding can be viewed here.

Image and Credit:

Member states of the Colorado River Compact (red = lower division; blue = upper division), by MarginalCost, 2018.  Wikimedia Commons.