In this Issue:

• Registration now open for our annual Lower Colorado River Tour
• Get an overview and tips for applying to our Colorado River Water Leaders program by Jan. 22
• Read our latest Western Water story on Southwestern cities looking to turn sewage into drinking water

Lower Colorado River Tour: March 13-15

Don’t miss the return of our Lower Colorado River Tour as we take you from Hoover Dam to the U.S.-Mexico border and through the Imperial and Coachella valleys to learn about the challenges and opportunities facing the “Lifeline of the Southwest.”

Following the course of the lower Colorado River through Nevada, Arizona and California, the tour explores infrastructure, farming regions, wildlife refuges and the Salton Sea. Experts discuss river issues, such as water needs, drought management, endangered species and habitat restoration. Space is limited & tickets go quickly so register here!

Tips for Applying to 2024 Colorado River Water Leader Cohort

Are you an emerging water leader in the Colorado River Basin? Consider applying for our 2024 Colorado River Water Leaders cohort.

The biennial program, which will run from March to September next year, selects about a dozen rising stars from the seven states that rely on the river – California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico.

The seven-month program is designed for working professionals who explore issues surrounding the iconic Southwest river. They deepen their water knowledge, build leadership skills and work with a mentor.

Listen to a recording of our virtual Q&A session that gave an overview on the program and tips on applying. Apply by Jan. 22, 2024. You can find all the needed materials here.

Latest Western Water Story Highlights Advances in Use of Purified Sewage for Drinking Water 

After more than two decades of drought, water utilities serving the largest urban regions in the arid Southwest are embracing a drought-proof source of drinking water long considered a supply of last resort: purified sewage.

Water supplies have tightened to the point that Phoenix and the water supplier for 19 million Southern California residents are racing to adopt an expensive technology, called “direct potable reuse” or “advanced purification,” to reduce their reliance on imported water from the dwindling Colorado River. “[Utilities] see that the river is overallocated, and they see that the climate is changing,” said Kathryn Sorensen, former director of Phoenix Water Services Department. “They’re looking at this and understanding that the river supply is highly variable and extremely uncertain in the future.” Read the full story here.