In the desert of landlocked Arizona, where the Colorado River crisis has put water use under a microscope, Mainstream Aquaculture has a fish farm where it’s growing the tropical species barramundi, also known as Asian sea bass, for American restaurants. … But some experts question whether growing fish on a large scale in an arid region can work without high environmental costs. That question comes down to what people collectively decide is a good use of water. … The farm uses groundwater, not Colorado River water. … Arizona has seven areas around the state where groundwater is rigorously managed. Dateland doesn’t fall into one of those, so the only rule that really governs it is a law saying if you land own there, you can pump a “reasonable” amount of groundwater. … What might be considered “reasonable” depends from crop to crop, and there’s really no precedent for aquaculture, an industry that hasn’t yet spread commercially statewide.

Other water use and conservation news:

• The Business Journals: Country clubs face a water challenge as their fortunes rise​
• Arizona Republic (Phoenix): It’s a thirsty world for Arizona wildlife. How a state agency keeps water basins full
• Deseret News (Salt Lake City, Utah): Opinion: The wisdom for water in the West