A new federal water‑management blueprint for the Colorado River basin, unveiled by the Bureau of Reclamation, confirms that Arizona’s water supplies will remain sufficient for the next two decades, but at a cost to consumers. The plan, which reallocates water allocations among the seven basin states, imposes a 12‑percent increase in the water‑use fees that utilities charge residential customers. State officials say the additional revenue will fund critical infrastructure upgrades, including the replacement of aging canals and the construction of new desalination pilot plants. While environmental groups applaud the plan’s emphasis on conservation, consumer advocates warn that higher bills could disproportionately affect low‑income households, prompting calls for targeted assistance programs.
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