NCPA - Daily Policy Digest - Cutting Back Water Use in the West

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Cutting Back Water Use in the West

The demands of growing populations, coupled with one of the worst droughts in many years, are forcing Western states to devise creative means to conserve water.

In Colorado, officials are drawing up new "water wise" landscaping ordinances and offering cash rebates to residents who retrofit their homes with water-saving appliances.

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, home builders must now install low-volume toilets in existing homes before they can build new residences.

The West's farmers and ranchers -- who control 80 percent or more of the region's water -- are feeling increasing pressure to sell their water rights to cities pinched between growing populations and limited water supplies.

Colorado officials estimate that 20 percent to 50 percent of the state's farmers and ranchers could eventually be forced out of business by the drought.

So far this year, ample snow has fallen in the mountains of Colorado. But water officials caution that the real test will come at spring runoff, which provides 80 percent of the state's water. Even if supplies are replenished this year, however, the state will forever remain a semi-arid region and water shortages a chronic reality.

Officials in the Colorado town of Aurora, which has grown six-fold since 1970, are using treated wastewater on parks and golf courses. They are also considering "dry year leasing" programs under which the city could pay farmers not to use their water during drought periods.

Source: Tom Kenworthy, "West's Dry Areas Get Creative With Water Use," USA Today, December 19, 2002.

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