August 24, 2022
DENVER (August 24, 2022) – Several large water providers from across the Colorado River Basin announced today a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to expand existing efforts to conserve water, develop programs that remove portions of non-functional turf and explore efforts to increase reuse, and recycling of water supplies.
“This announcement of increased commitments is a step in the right direction to help secure our water supply and protect our rivers amid the megadrought and the stark impacts of the aridification of the West. Implementation will be key, but we support these proposed measures and are encouraged that water providers recognize they need to do more to conserve water,” said John Berggren, Ph.D., water policy analyst at Western Resource Advocates. “The Colorado River is in crisis and on the brink of collapse. These water providers know that the challenge of reducing our use of the Colorado River cannot be met by just one sector, state, basin or country. Forward progress will take everyone working together to make critical changes in how we manage our supply and keep our rivers flowing.”
Read the joint letter sent to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation today.
“We’ve known for years that the Colorado River is endangered and out-of-balance. More water is taken out than the river can provide, threatening fish, wildlife, people and communities throughout the region. Climate change is exacerbating the problem. However, the crisis can be fixed with effective public policies that re-shape how Western water is valued and used. We must reduce water use across the Colorado River Basin, in agriculture, industry, and our cities,” added Berggren. “We support the recent announcement by water providers and look forward to working with them on tangible next steps to make good on their commitment to conserve and recycle more. We hope this MOU is just the beginning of Basin-wide collaboration among water providers to develop robust conservation programs, and we strongly encourage other water providers across the region to join in these conservation efforts. Together we must recommit ourselves to a healthy, flowing river with protected habitat for the fish and wildlife that depend on the waters of the Colorado. And, we must build a sustainable future for the river and the people that rely on it.”
About Western Resource Advocates
Western Resource Advocates provides on-the-ground solutions to climate change. WRA has a 33-year history of working with policymakers and other advocates to advance clean energy; protect air, land, water, and wildlife; and sustain the lives and livelihoods of the West. For more information, visit westernresourceadvocates.org and follow us on Twitter @wradv.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Christie Silverstein, Western Resource Advocates, christie.silverstein@westernresources.org
