The federal government this month changed the Colorado River System to a less severe tier of shortage. However, the city of Phoenix is keeping its Water Alert in place.
Last summer, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced a first-ever Tier 2 water shortage on the Colorado River water system, which supplies Arizona, six other states and Mexico. Earlier in the summer, when a Tier 2 shortage announcement was anticipated, the city of Phoenix announced a water alert, the first stage in its drought management plan.
The Water Alert means an insufficient supply situation appears likely. Phoenix Water Resources Management Advisor Cynthia Campbell said the shortage tier reduction caused by a precipitous winter on the Colorado River system is good news, but the river’s water shortage is not in the clear.
