‘Arizona Horizon:’ Water conservation, water crisis and developing policies
Water conservation is an important issue in the state of Arizona, and “Arizona Horizon” has featured various stories covering the water crisis and developing policies.
View the episodes below to learn more about water conservation in the Grand Canyon State. Watch “Arizona Horizon” weeknights at 5 p.m. on air or on our YouTube news channel, AZPBS Now, or catch full episodes online later or on the PBS app.
New program ‘Resolve to Solve’ covers Colorado River crisis – September 9, 2026
“Resolve to Solve with Miles O’Brien,” a new documentary series, explores how scientists, innovators and determined problem-solvers are addressing some of the world’s most urgent challenges.
Millions of people rely on the Colorado River, and it fuels millions of acres of agriculture; however, as the river is shrinking the states are having a harder time learning how to share what’s left.
Miles O’Brien, the host of “Resolve to Solve,” shared more about the series and how farmers and water managers are adapting to a shrinking Colorado River.
New treatment process uses electricity to clean water – August 27, 2026
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered a new treatment process to clean water. The treatment process uses electricity to force a chemical reaction in the water that removes industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other pollutants from the water.
This new method of cleansing water enables more affordable cleaning, using less energy and fewer additional chemicals than conventional methods.
Sergi Garcia-Segura, a professor at ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, helped better explain the treatment process.
Colorado River plan includes cuts to Arizona water supply – August 24, 2026
Federal officials released the finalized plan for Colorado River operations through 2028. Arizona will see a 760,000-acre-foot cut if the proposed sharing agreement between Arizona, California and Nevada takes effect.
The water cuts will affect the farms, tribes and communities who use the Colorado River water supply, specifically those in Yuma, La Paz County, Mohave County and water users in Phoenix to Tucson who get their water supply from Central Arizona Project (CAP), Porter said.
Sarah Porter, Director of Kyl Center for Water Policy, discussed the most recent updates to the situation.
Growth in Arizona and impact of Colorado River water cuts – August 17, 2026
Following the announcement of the federal government’s plans to cut down on Arizona’s water allotment from the Colorado River, questions arose about how the state can sustain its residents while continuing to grow.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau data, Arizona recently ranked 8th in U.S. population growth with a boost of about 0.9% from July 2024 to July 2025. Along with the increase, the Bureau also found Arizona cities like Surprise and Goodyear have ranked among the top 15 U.S. cities seeing the largest numeric increases during the same time frame.
Danny Seiden, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, discussed the interplay between state growth and water use.
The new Colorado River plan – August 6, 2026
The Colorado River crisis threatens the water supply of 40 million people and the electricity that powers cities across the Southwest, including Phoenix. With seven Colorado River Basin states unable to agree on how to divide the Colorado River’s water, the federal Bureau of Reclamation has stepped in and released a plan. Federal officials released the plan on July 31, 2026. It leans heavily on curtailing deliveries from Lake Mead to downstream users, including Arizonans.
Arizona officials have said such a blow would be devastating, possibly cutting off the Central Arizona Project’s (CAP) deliveries to Phoenix and Tucson. But they say that level of reduction is unlikely, at least in the first two years.
Sarah Porter, Director of Kyl Center for Water Policy, discussed the situation.
Judge strikes down Arizona Department of Water Resources tax – June 22, 2026
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney ruled the Arizona Department of Water Resources overstepped its legal authority when imposing what developers have called a “tax.”
Judge Blaney ruled the Arizona Department of Water Resources cannot withhold required building permits unless the developer shows it can access not just the water it would need for the next 100 years but an additional 33% as well. That extra 33% is the tax that developers point to.
Sarah Porter, Director of Kyl Center for Water Policy, discussed the latest updates on the situation.
Arizona pushes back on Colorado River cuts – April 21, 2026
In its effort to secure rights to the Colorado River water, Arizona recently hired a law firm, as its fight has brought implications for Arizona’s economy.
Danny Seiden, the president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Arizona was “asked to assume far more of the cuts than is fair.” According to him, the state gathered millions for infrastructure, and if more cuts were implemented, they would impose an economic burden on Arizona.
Danny Seiden, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry discussed more on the controversies.
Study finds why Colorado River Basin conservation may fall short – April 20, 2026
A recent study that includes major southwest cities suggests a sobering reality: water conservation will not be enough to secure the region’s water future.
Researchers from Arizona State University and Penn State argue that while cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Denver have made significant gains in reducing water use, those efforts may be outpaced by climate-driven declines in supply. Interestingly, Denver has implemented temporary drought charges.
Dave White, the director of the Global Institute of Sustainability & Innovation at ASU discussed the critical shift that is needed in water policy.
Low snowpack impacts Phoenix water reservoirs – April 6, 2026
Results from a new airborne snow survey over northeastern Arizona found that due to a dry and warm winter, most of the snow water measured in January and February had melted by mid-March, offering water managers an unusually clear view of how quickly the season changed.
Arizona’s mountain snowmelt provides a significant portion of the Phoenix metropolitan water supply. For SRP, even small changes in mountain snowpack can affect how much water eventually flows into reservoirs during the spring melt season.
Enrique Vivoni, the director of the Center for Hydrologic Innovations at Arizona State University discussed the latest findings.
