Lake Mead
Due to decreasing water levels in Lake Mead, it is highly likely that the U.S. Secretary of the Interior will declare a Tier 1 shortage for 2022 in August of this year. If a shortage is declared it will mostly not affect municipalities. Photo by John Locher

By Shaina Shay
Water Resources & Conservation Specialist

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

The Colorado River Basin, like Arizona, is in the midst of a 20-plus-year drought that is stressing water supplies.

Due to decreasing water levels in Lake Mead, it is highly likely that the U.S. Secretary of the Interior will declare a Tier 1 shortage for 2022 in August of this year. If a shortage is declared it will primarily affect agricultural users, not municipalities.

A shortage on the Colorado River doesn’t mean a shortage at your tap.

GLOBAL WATER IS PREPARED

Global Water Resources does not rely on Colorado River water to provide water for our
customers.

Ample water supplies have been secured for current and future customers, enabling
development in the City of Maricopa to continue for the foreseeable future.

We have been preparing for water shortages since the beginning. The image shown is from our 2009 campaign to raise drought awareness and encourage the use of recycled water.

To combat water scarcity, Global Water Resources practices Total Water Management and has committed to using water wisely, encouraging conservation and planning for the future.

HOW HAS ARIZONA PREPARED?

Arizona, along with other states in the Colorado River Basin and Mexico, have had
many years to prepare for shortage. Joint collaboration resulted in the signing of a
Drought Contingency Plan in 2019.

This plan, along with other agreements, established a system for sharing water surpluses. Additionally, states are working through a process called reconsultation, and by 2026 plan to further align demand for Colorado River water with the effects of climate change.

Arizona continues to invest in water infrastructure, alternative water supplies and
conservation programs.

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