Arizona faces water shortages and high temperatures

Due to worsening drought and declining water in the 2025 Colorado River allocations to basin states, Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona suffer cuts in their annual Colorado River water allocation, according to the Arizona Department of the Interior, the cut is 18%.

In the case of Arizona, irrigation districts may receive up to $15 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conserve water and keep agricultural lands active.

The funds are to be used for programs that focus on improving irrigation, changing farming practices, cropping systems and other strategies to conserve water.

CHISPA Deputy Director Masavi Perea talks about the changes in the desert state and how temperatures have risen as climate change worsens.

Masavi Perea comments that the population, for example in Maricopa County, has grown and so has the demand for water.

He argues that federal support is focused on agriculture, but cities will also face a challenge due to the scarcity of the vital liquid.

In addition, Masavi Perea says that the real estate boom and growth of the water-intensive technology industry in Phoenix is putting the problem of water shortages in the Colorado River in the spotlight.

He points out that this is in addition to the increase in temperatures that have already broken records for 60 days exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Deputy Director of the CHISPA organization, Masavi Perea i, asks that all sectors and the community be involved so that their proposals are taken into account and listened to.

This is part of the series “Cuando se seca el arroyo”, supported in part by The Walton Family Foundation.