Mesa is preparing to draw on stored water reserves and seek costly new supplies as anticipated federal cuts threaten to reduce the city’s Colorado River allocation by more than one-fifth.
The expected loss of nearly 12,000 acre-feet of water has prompted city officials to weigh additional conservation measures even as they acknowledge that securing alternative supplies could eventually mean higher costs for residents.
“We’ve moved from having less expensive water to probably more expensive water to distribute to our residents,” Mayor Mark Freeman said during an Oct. 8 City Council study session…