As used in this series, water augmentation refers to the effort to secure additional water supplies for current or future users. Development of water supplies has been a human undertaking since time immemorial, and it will likely continue in Arizona to ensure water for future demand. Here are some examples of different types of augmentation projects that have happened in Arizona in the past:

A project to move water, change its use, alter its quality or store it is likely to be expensive.

Since the 1980s, Arizona Tribes have leased water for off-reservation use by cities and industries. A Tribal water lease is an agreement through which a Tribe allows an entity to temporarily use part of the Tribe’s water allocation in exchange for payment.

When it comes to conceptualizing new water supplies for Arizona, there’s no lack of imagination -- and seemingly no lack of ingenuity: Engineers and futurists have proffered everything from ocean desalination to hauling icebergs to 

Water Augmentation Series

Cora Tso is a Senior Research Fellow at Arizona State University’s Kyl Center for Water Policy. She researches, analyzes, and develops recommendations on Arizona Tribal water policy, focusing on Tribal Nations’ interests, needs, and opportunities in regulatory and legislative processes.

In 2024 the Kyl Center for Water Policy introduced a blog series featuring updates on Colorado River, groundwater and other water policy issues in Arizona. The next two years will be pivotal as stakeholders negotiate the reservoir operating rules that dictate Colorado River shortages in our state, and these shortages will impact our groundwater. We will try to bring some clarity through light-hearted updates featuring a movie theme. This is our second segment in this series. We hope you enjoy it!

Water Augmentation Series

Water: Blogged 

Exploring Arizona’s Water Future: Blog Series from the Kyl Center

Matt Silverman
Senior Partner
ICF