Phoenix council authorizes staff to negotiate ‘Secure Water Arizona’ mutual‑aid agreements

Phoenix — The City Council on April 28 received a comprehensive briefing on Colorado River conditions and Phoenix’s water preparedness and unanimously authorized staff to negotiate mutual‑aid and transactional agreements to establish the Secure Water Arizona (SWAP) program.

The presentation, led by Brandy Kelso, Phoenix’s Water Services Director, and Dr. Max Wilson, the city’s water resources manager, laid out reservoir and supply risks tied to historic low Colorado River flows and described how Phoenix plans to use renewable backup supplies, stored groundwater and large infrastructure projects to manage cuts.

Why it matters: Dr. Max Wilson told council "the Colorado River is in crisis," warning that multi‑decadal low flows have left Lake Powell and Lake Mead at critically low levels and that, unless basin states agree on new operating rules, the Bureau of Reclamation could act unilaterally to allocate shortages. He told council the draft Bureau of Reclamation environmental impact statement indicates mandatory cuts would fall on lower‑basin users unless legal and negotiating outcomes change.

The city’s case: Brandy Kelso said…