A water treatment plant in San Diego County, California, could contribute more water to the Colorado River, benefiting states experiencing severe shortages.
On June 3, 2026, key water officials, including Dan Denham of the San Diego County Water Authority and Scott Cameron from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, gathered at the Carlsbad Desalination Plant in California to celebrate a new agreement. This deal allows San Diego to potentially sell some of its Colorado River water rights to Arizona and Nevada.
San Diego’s water surplus stems from its decade-old desalination plant, which alleviated its previous water shortages. Although physical water transfers to inland states will not occur, San Diego will reduce its reliance on its entitled river water.
This agreement marks the first significant interstate water trade involving the Colorado River, a resource that’s vital for millions of people and acres of farmland in the West. The water system’s sustainability is under threat due to shortages, and previous regulations lacked a clear framework for such trades.
Scott Cameron stressed the critical nature of this development, stating that it’s a significant advancement in securing water for southwestern populations.
The agreement’s details, including the volume of water San Diego can allocate and the compensation from Arizona and Nevada, remain unsettled. Resolving these issues requires revisiting extensive legal precedents and negotiating amid already dwindling water resources.
Dan Denham emphasized the urgency, pointing out that current river hydrology necessitates swift action, aiming for completion within a year.
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