 Tucson’s long-term water planning for changing Colorado River conditions
For decades, Tucson Water has planned for a future where the Colorado River would be less predictable. While discussions continue about how the river will be managed in the years ahead, Tucson Water’s long-standing approach has not changed. Tucson is well positioned to provide safe, reliable water for our community – today and for generations to come.
Tucson is often recognized as one of the most water-prepared cities in the Western United States. This didn’t happen by chance. For more than 40 years, Tucson Water has invested in a diverse mix of water resources that includes Colorado River water delivered by the Central Arizona Project (CAP), groundwater, recycled water, and rain and stormwater. By not relying on a single source, Tucson is better able to adapt when conditions change.
We have also built and maintained facilities that allow us to store water underground for future use. This stored water acts like a savings account, helping protect the community during dry years or reduced river deliveries.
Planning for Colorado River shortages is not new for Tucson. Since the 1980s, Tucson Water has anticipated that river conditions would fluctuate and that deliveries could be reduced during times of drought. This forward-thinking approach has guided major investments, from building recharge and recovery facilities in Avra Valley, to partnering with regional and tribal partners, to conserving water in Lake Mead. These actions help avoid emergency decisions and support long-term stability.
This long-term approach is reflected in our One Water 2100 Plan that Tucson’s Mayor and Council adopted in 2023. Shaped by extensive community input, Tucson’s One Water 2100 Plan is a bold roadmap for managing water through the end of the century. The plan prepares for Colorado River shortages while keeping water reliable, affordable, and sustainable – no matter what future conditions bring.
Equally important is the role our community plays. Because of decades of conservation, Tucson has enough water to meet its needs, but not enough to waste. Tucsonans have built a strong conservation ethic, saving billions of gallons of water through everyday choices like desert-adapted landscaping, efficient fixtures, and participation in Tucson Water programs. These individual choices make a real difference for the entire community.
As conversations about the Colorado River continue, Tucson Water will keep focusing on what it does best: planning ahead, investing wisely, and partnering with the community to use water responsibly.
Learn more about how Tucson is preparing for the future.
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