Yuma state representatives celebrate historic water bill

Over $1 billion is being allocated to conserve, and find new water sources for the state - FOX 9's Adam Klepp reports

YUMA, Ariz. (KECY, KYMA) - While the state of Arizona continues to grow, the supply of water is diminishing.

In response to this problem, the state government is allocating over $1 billion to conserve and look for new sources of water.

“As the other basin states look to Arizona, they can point to this and say look what Arizona is doing,” state senator Lisa Otondo said.

Local representative Tim Dunn says Yuma, and its ag leaders have known the water shortage is an issue, and is now glad the state government is taking the proper action.

“What’s going on on the river is serious, we’ve known that for years, but now we’re just trying to educate the rest of the state," Dunn said.

Dunn says this new bill will take pressure off of yuma county to solve the state’s water problems.

“Everyone wants to come get Yuma's water, because we have the most senior rights on the river. We want to be able to bring in other water, so we can keep that water here in Yuma,” Dunn said.

While both Dunn and Osborne say conservation is key, the majority of the money in this bill is for projects which look to bring water from outside the state.

Governor Doug Ducey has visited the middle east to learn more about desalinization efforts.

As one of the potential plans would be to de-salt water from the Sea of Cortez in Mexico, and pump it to the Morelos Dam in Yuma.

Dunn says other potential ideas include building a desalination plant at the Salton Sea, or bringing in flood water from states like Kansas or Mississippi.

Senator Otondo says she doesn’t know which plans will be the most viable, but that the money in this bill gives the state the ability to evaluate all potential options.

“The most important thing is that these conversations continue, and money is available so these projects can come to fruition,” Otondo said.