Arizona lawmakers are planning for a new state water authority to address issues related to the ongoing drought.
Gov. Ducey in February proposed a $1 billion investment for a new state agency to find solutions to the water shortage. The Arizona Water Authority would collaborate with public and private stakeholders. The agency could potentially shop for water throughout the region. For example, Arizona could build a desalination plant in Mexico in exchange for more of Mexico’s Colorado River water rights.
But at a KJZZ event Thursday, Democratic state Rep. Morgan Abraham said he hopes to see the agency take on more immediate strategies.
“I’m not saying augmentation is not part of the long-term solution, but for now, in this crisis that we’re in, the best bang for our buck is conservation policies that promote better water use now," Abraham said.
Republican Rep. Regina Cobb said she is also in favor of conservation programs. She said she would like to see investments in more efficient irrigation infrastructure for agricultural users, who use the largest share of the state’s supply.
“That’s got to be part of the Water Authority’s charge, is to be able to give grants out to these farmers that have the ability to do it, but just don’t have the means to do it," Cobb said. "They're willing but they're not able."
Cobb said for now, all options are still on the table.
→ Mark Brodie and a panel of experts discuss the future of water in Arizona
