Leaders in the Yuma area are hosting a roundtable Thursday afternoon to discuss how drought and cuts in Colorado River output will affect water infrastructure and needs going forward.
State Rep. Brian Fernandez and Yuma County Supervisor Martín Porchas will highlight bills moving through Congress to address drought and water shortages.
Amy Karvorski with the Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association says discussions like that are picking up across Arizona.
"Last year we were focusing on how to treat the water, and this year, we’re really focused on how to save the water," she said.
This year, Arizona is taking its first-ever mandatory cut in Colorado River supply, as the river’s output dwindles and severe drought persists throughout the region.
Yuma produces over 90% of the lettuce in the U.S. While mandatory cuts aren’t impacting the area this year, Karvorski says farms there are working on ways to cut back, like fallowing fields and rotating crops. Growers who are part of her organization come together for their own event on water issues next month.
