Long-term drought conditions in the West are likely to have the trickle-down effect of higher water bills for some communities.
With new rules coming into effect for how much water states can draw from the Colorado River, some cities are implementing new infrastructure plans to keep the taps flowing, NPR reports. But the costs of those projects may ultimately fall to residents.
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Historic drought
A 26-year-long drought has been gripping the Colorado River Basin, leaving runoff and reservoir levels at historic lows. In response, the federal government recently announced a new plan to manage the water supply from the Colorado River.
Seven states — including Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Nevada — as well as 30 tribes and the country of Mexico, all depend on water from the Colorado River. The federal plan calls for three states — Arizona, California and Nevada — to cut how much water they take from the Colorado River in 2027 and 2028…