Arizona water rates rise as federal plan cuts Colorado River supply
On August 31, Arizona officials said water rates would rise after a federal mandate cut the state's Colorado River allocation by 27% through 2028, forcing municipalities to turn to backup supplies and prompting the Arizona Department of Water Resources to plan fee increases for residential and commercial users. The cuts stem from a U. S. Bureau of Reclamation plan announced on August 21 that requires Arizona, Nevada and California to reduce withdrawals by a total of 1. 25 million acre-feet per year for two years.
Nevada officials filed a lawsuit, arguing the plan violates environmental statutes and could damage the state's economy. U. S. officials said the reductions provide only short-term relief as reservoir levels remain at historic lows, and state officials warned that a 30% cut slated for 2027-28 could jeopardize the state's winter leafy-green farms.
