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San Diego County Water Authority Announces Routine Maintenance on First Aqueduct

San Diego’s thirst for water will face a minor hurdle as the first conduit of life’s elixir undergoes its annual health check. The San Diego County Water Authority is rolling up its sleeves for a routine tune-up on parts of its First Aqueduct from February 25 to March 5, an exercise ensuring taps keep flowing without a hitch.

Short-Term Measures Just the Start of What’s Needed to Save Colorado River

Nearly 100 years after the Colorado River Compact was negotiated, big changes are finally coming for senior water rights holders — at least in the short term.

Metropolitan Water District Forges Partnerships to Secure Colorado River Water in Lake Mead

In a pivotal move addressing California’s water conservation goals and reinforcing partnerships in the face of the ongoing Colorado River drought, the Metropolitan Water District is seeking authorization for its General Manager to establish agreements with the Coachella Valley Water District, Imperial Irrigation District, and San Diego County Water Authority. These agreements aim to facilitate the addition of water to Lake Mead under the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program for the year 2023.

San Diego Selling Back Some Pricey Colorado River Water for Cheaper Met Water

A trade deal is brewing between major southern California water agencies to help restock a major reservoir on the drought-stricken Colorado River and meet federal demands to cut back use.

San Diego, Los Angeles and Imperial Valley are the major players trying something that’s never been done before using a water trading agreement inked 20 years ago as a guiding light. Under the proposal, San Diego is going to give up some of its Colorado River water it fought so hard to secure so more can be saved in the larger river system. But instead, it would lean on supplies from northern California, a source that was virtually unavailable to the region due to drought just last year.

Opinion: Federal Court Hears Oral Arguments on Imperial Valley Farmers’ Claims to Colorado River Water

In what seems to be perennially Michael Abatti v. IID season in the courtroom, Judge Michael Anello of the Federal Southern District Court heard oral arguments from each side’s attorneys on Wednesday, June 6, in San Diego.

Mr. Abatti and 23 of his relatives and friends filed a lawsuit last June alleging that the IID’s new Equitable Distribution Plan violated their rights to water, deprived them of due process, and caused them economic harm.

Sen. Roberts, State Officials Debate Likelihood of Colorado River Cuts

Speakers at the 2023 Colorado Water Congress annual conference in Steamboat Springs last week showed conflicting views on the possibility of Colorado River water cuts within the state. Colorado’s official and alternate representatives in negotiations over the river said Thursday that neither the federal government nor the terms of the Colorado River Compact can force water cuts in the state any time soon.

Bringing the Colorado River to Mesa: New 10.5-Mile Water Pipeline Under Construction

The ongoing and historic drought has many Valley cities declaring water shortages. In Mesa, the city is in stage one of its water shortage management plan. While they’re reducing water usage citywide, Mesa is also spending millions to boost its water infrastructure. Construction started on a 10.5-mile pipeline on Monday. The plan is to build out the Central Mesa Reuse Pipeline and it begins at Greenfield and Southern.

Arizona Needs to Conserve Colorado River Water. Here’s a Rundown on Cities’ Voluntary Cuts

Arizona cities and other entities could serve nearly 2 million households for a year with the amount of water they plan to voluntarily leave behind in the Colorado River the next three years, but they say they’re foregoing the supply to help preserve the reservoirs’ health.

States Near Historic Deal to Protect Colorado River

After nearly a year wrestling over the fate of their water supply, California, Arizona and Nevada — the three key states in the Colorado River’s current crisis — have coalesced around a plan to voluntarily conserve a major portion of their river water in exchange for more than $1 billion in federal funds, according to people familiar with the negotiations.

Feds Propose Cuts to California, Other States’ Water Supply From Colorado River

Southern California and the state as a whole could see dramatic reductions in allocations of Colorado River water under proposals released Tuesday by the federal government aimed at protecting a system that provides water to 40 million people in multiple states along with critical agricultural irrigation.

The river also provides hydroelectric power to millions of customers, generated by dams at Lake Mead and Lake Powell.