Arizona to study 2 ideas to add to its water supply

Arizona’s Water Infrastructure Finance Authority board unanimously approved spending more than $7 million to analyze two proposals aimed at boosting the state’s shrinking water supplies. The projects, advanced by developer Epcor, would involve storing surface water underground and using treated wastewater from California to support drinking-water production. Although officials classify them as water importation schemes, the plan would largely avoid importing drinking water outright; instead, Arizona would exchange rights to the water created through the projects with California entities for Colorado River supplies. The board will also review five additional importation ideas in coming months, including desalination plants in other states and Mexico. Epcor said key risks include declining Colorado River supplies, affordability, available electric power, and public acceptance of heavily treated wastewater.