A Yuma desalting plant would be restored under federal legislation introduced by Congressman Andy Biggs of Arizona, Republican state government leaders said late last week. The GOP Arizona State Legislators announced their support for the bill they said would authorize $19 billion to increase the water supply for people living in the Colorado River basin. Republicans say the bill, the Colorado River Basin Water Security and Infrastructure Act, would develop additional water. One way the bill would help is to direct the U.S. Department of the Interior to restore the Yuma Desalting Plant within 180 days and authorize $1 billion for the project. The plant would allow treated agricultural drainage water to reduce the amount of Colorado River water that must be delivered from the U.S., Republican leaders said.

Other Colorado River management news:

• KTAR (Phoenix): With Colorado River cuts looming, Peoria commits $104 million to bolster water supply
• Summit Daily (Frisco, Colo.): How to survive a drought emergency: Lessons learned from a ‘miserable’ year for the Colorado River basin