California's innovative approach to addressing the Colorado River crisis: Desalination as a solution
As desert cities like Phoenix and Tucson brace for drastic reductions in their Colorado River water allocations, San Diego County's water agency is poised to make history by selling water to other states for the first time. This groundbreaking move involves tapping into the region's abundant resources from the nation's largest desalination plant.
The San Diego County Water Authority's board unanimously approved an initial agreement last week, paving the way for potential interstate water sales to Arizona and Nevada. These states are expected to face significant water supply cuts due to the over-reliance on the Colorado River. The agreement, if approved by other agencies, could enable the first-ever interstate transfers of Colorado River water, starting as early as next year.
Dan Denham, General Manager of the San Diego County Water Authority, emphasizes the urgency and necessity of this approach, stating, 'It’s just a different way of managing water in the West. I think it has to happen now, and it has to happen because of the situation on the river.'
The Colorado River, a vital water source for farms, cities, and tribal communities across seven states and northern Mexico, has been severely impacted by drought and climate change over the past 25 years, leading to a significant decline in river flow.
Despite extensive negotiations, the seven states involved remain at odds regarding water cutbacks to prevent further reservoir decline. San Diego County Water Authority officials propose a unique solution by allowing agencies in Arizona and Nevada to purchase water from their Colorado River supplies, generating revenue to reduce costs for their ratepayers.
The agreement, a memorandum of understanding, requires approval from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the federal government, and agencies in Arizona and Nevada. Once approved, various water agencies will negotiate the details. The San Diego County Water Authority, acting as a wholesaler, delivers water to 22 cities and agencies serving 3.3 million people.
The authority's investment in the Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant has secured additional water supplies. Since 2015, the plant has been converting seawater into drinking water. The authority also secured water through a 2003 agriculture-to-urban transfer deal, ensuring a plentiful water supply for San Diego County. However, this has also resulted in some of the most expensive water in the state.
The Carlsbad desalination plant operates at less than full capacity, and increasing its output could provide a larger share of the region's water if agencies in other states purchase some of the Water Authority's Colorado River water. While it's currently too expensive to run the plant at full capacity due to more economical supplies, out-of-state funding could make it a viable option.
Conservation efforts have also reduced water needs for many cities served by the Water Authority. Additionally, the area will soon start recycling wastewater through new facilities, including San Diego's Pure Water project and similar initiatives in Oceanside and eastern San Diego County.
If other states and agencies sign on, the Water Authority is prepared to sell up to 10,000 acre-feet of water starting next year, which is nearly 5% of the Las Vegas area's current water use. This could increase to 25,000 acre-feet or more in future years, with potential expansions of the Carlsbad desalination plant to produce more drinking water.
Denham emphasizes the collective interest in making this initiative successful, stating, 'It’s in everyone’s best interest to make this work.' Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed support, welcoming joint investments in water recycling and desalination from other states.
The Metropolitan Water District's board has yet to vote on the proposed agreement, and Shivaji Deshmukh, the district's general manager, advocates for a regional approach to water resources, transcending political boundaries.
While the proposed water sales may seem insignificant compared to the overall water shortfall, Denham believes this approach could be a crucial step in demonstrating the effectiveness of interstate agreements in alleviating water shortages along the Colorado River.
