Tucson says it’s ready for Federal water supply cuts

Tucson officials say the city is prepared for possible cuts to its Colorado River water supply. A recent federal report warns that Arizona, California and Nevada could face significant reductions because of high demand and prolonged drought.

Tucson has been preparing for that possibility for decades. The city has purchased agricultural land and water rights, developed a reclaimed water system, protected groundwater and stored imported Colorado River water underground.

One part of that strategy is a facility near Houghton and Drexel. It sends treated wastewater into basins, where the water moves underground for storage and future use.

University of Arizona geosciences professor Karl Flessa said Tucson appears to be in good shape in the short term, but will need more conservation over time. He also warned that water reuse and desalination are costly, saying Tucson is more likely to face higher water prices than run out of water.

The federal government has not yet announced how much water supplies could be reduced.