Reclamation advances effort to expand water supply tools for challenged Colorado River Basin

CARLSBAD, CA - A new pathway for moving water where it's needed most in the Colorado River Basin took shape today, as the Bureau of Reclamation and major water agencies in California, Nevada, and Arizona signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly explore how desalination and advanced water purification could strengthen long-term water reliability across the Southwest.

The agreement, signed at the Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, establishes a collaborative framework for evaluating how new water supplies-produced through desalination or water recycling-could be integrated into Basin operations. The concept would allow agencies to "move" water on paper using existing infrastructure, enabling transfers or exchanges without constructing costly new pipelines or conveyance systems.

"This agreement brings partners together across state lines to explore desalination, water recycling, and new ways to move water where it's needed most," said Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Andrea Travnicek. "We see this as another great opportunity to open doors to solutions that can strengthen the entire Colorado River Basin."

The MOU between the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, San Diego County Water Authority, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Central Arizona Water Conservation District and Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District does not alter existing water rights or commit any party to a specific project. If implemented, it would be the first mechanism to facilitate interstate movement of desalinated or purified water within the seven-state Basin.

"The Colorado River's future depends on collaborative planning and effective implementation, said Acting Commissioner Scott Cameron. "No single state, agency, or sector can solve these challenges alone. This agreement on desalination and water recycling lays groundwork for what could become a major leap forward in the shared responsibility we all carry to protect this river."

Long-term drought has reduced Colorado River system storage to roughly 36% of capacity. Record-low snowpack and extreme spring temperatures have further strained the system, creating elevated risks to essential water and power infrastructure. These conditions underscore the need for near-term actions that help balance supply and demand while supporting long-term resilience.

Today's MOU represents a framework for future solutions by:

• Strengthening cooperation across state lines - The agreement brings together major water providers in California, Nevada, and Arizona to jointly evaluate new supply options and management tools.
• Advancing water recycling and purification - Many Basin communities are investing in largescale water recycling projects. The MOU supports efforts to integrate these supplies into broader Basin management strategies.
• Exploring the role of desalination - The MOU provides a pathway to assess how desalinated water could support regional water reliability.
• Creating a foundation for future interstate exchanges - The agreement outlines a high-level structure for potential transfers or exchanges that could direct desalinated or purified water to where it is needed most-without new infrastructure.

Reclamation acknowledged the leadership and collaboration of the partner agencies and emphasized that today's signing represents a foundation for continued progress.