Water Agreement: United States, Mexico Sign Pact Governing Colorado River Use

The United States and Mexico have expanded an agreement governing use of the Colorado River, which provides water to nearly 40 million people in seven states in the West and Southwest as well as to Mexico. The agreement stresses conservation in an effort to make sure there is enough water during a drought.

The agreement requires both countries to develop a plan to reduce usage if the river level is too low. Additionally, the United States agrees to invest $31.5 million in conservation projects in Mexico in an effort to reduce leaks and losses of water from other causes.

Among other steps, Mexico agrees to upgrade irrigation equipment so that less water is consumed. (For more local news, subscribe to the Phoenix Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts).

In return, Mexico agrees to reduce consumption when water levels are running low. The agreement also spells out how much water the country will receive in times of a surplus.

Both countries, along with a coalition of not-for-profits, agree to spend approximately $18 million for a series of research and restoration projects.

"This agreement puts us on a path of cooperation rather than conflict as we work with Mexico to address the Colorado River Basin’s many challenges," said U.S. Commissioner Edward Drusina of the International Boundary and Water Commission.

The agreement amends one first signed between the two countries in 1944 and makes Mexico more of an equal partner in protecting the river.

"This agreement provides certainty for water operations in both countries and mainly establishes a planning tool that allows Mexico to define the most suitable actions for managing its Colorado River waters allotted by the 1944 Water Treaty," said Mexican Commissioner Roberto Salmon.

The Colorado supplies water to Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

One acre-foot of water, which would cover an acre of land with one foot of water, is considered enough to supply the average family in the United States for one year. There are 325,851 gallons in an acre-foot.

Under the agreement, this is how many acre-feet each state and Mexico is allowed to take from the river each year:

• California: 4.4 million.
• Colorado: 3.9 million.
• Arizona: 2.8 million.
• Utah: 1.7 million.
• Mexico: 1.5 million.
• Wyoming: 1 million.
• New Mexico: 850,000.
• Nevada: 300,000.

The deal, which run through 2026, was signed Wednesday in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Photo of the Colorado River along the United States/Mexico border via John Moore/Getty Images News/Getty Images