The cities of Phoenix and Tucson are setting up a new system for sharing water among cities, towns and other water users in Arizona. City officials are framing it as a way to help keep cities around the state from going dry in the face of a shrinking Colorado River.
The program, which will be called the “Secure Water Arizona Program” or “SWAP” will create an emergency reserve of water and connect cities that are interested in buying and selling water from other cities and businesses.
“At the end of the day, this is about more than policy,” said Betty Guardado, a Phoenix City Council member. “It’s about whether our kids and grandkids can continue to live, work and thrive here in Phoenix.”…