Thursday Top of the Scroll: CVWD to slash aquifer replenishment to reduce Colorado River water use
The Coachella Valley Water District’s board of directors voted Tuesday to cut back on groundwater replenishment over the next few years to reduce the district’s Colorado River water use amid historic drought conditions. Groundwater replenishment adds water to the local aquifer, which provides nearly all of the drinking water and domestic water sources in the Coachella Valley. Earlier this year, the Bureau of Reclamation called for the seven states that rely on the Colorado River — Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — to use at least 15% less water next year from the drought-stricken river system, or between 2 million and 4 million acre-feet less. An acre-foot, about 326,000 gallons of water, is enough to supply about two households for a year.
Related articles:
- Water Education Colorado: Polis seeks $1.9 million to revamp Colorado River crisis team
- Ag Alert: Colorado River may require ‘decisive action,’ U.S. warns
- jfleck at inkstain: Blog - A century ago in the Colorado River Compact: Converging on Santa Fe
- Coachella Valley Water District: News release: CVWD takes action to reduce demand on Colorado River