Federal funding for the Colorado River has largely been on pause since Donald Trump returned to the White House. But now, some is coming back.
The Bureau of Reclamation is extending some contracts to conserve water.
It’s the kind of spending that was common under the Biden administration, but stands out now.
Sarah Porter directs the Kyl Center for water policy at Arizona State University. She says we shouldn’t read into it too much.
"It does indicate, I think, that the bureau and maybe the Interior Department, understand that the Colorado River is in pretty precarious shape, and that, you know, something needs to be done," Porter said.
In total, federal authorities will pay $128 million to farms, cities and tribes in Arizona and California. In exchange, they’ll leave some of their water in Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir. It stores water for millions of people in Phoenix as well as Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
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On Sept. 8, KJZZ water reporter Alex Hager presented your questions and concerns to a panel of experts.
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Gubernatorial hopefuls sparred publicly for an hour Tuesday night over regulation of data centers, new restrictions on Medicaid and whether Arizona is running out of water.
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Earlier this year, the commission voted 3-2 to approve new rates for the Picacho Water and Sewer companies, utilities started by The Robson Companies to serve the 55+ Robson Ranch community that opened in Eloy in 2005. -
The city says more than 9,000 accounts are significantly behind on payments — that comes out to nearly $24 million in past-due balances. Phoenix had suspended water shut-offs in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. -
As the majority of voters believe the economy and their own financial situation is getting worse, their candidate preferences reflect that.
