What does "water augmentation" mean?

Water augmentation is the process of identifying and securing water supplies. 

• Augmentation projects are intended to create new water supplies, and not affect existing water agreements nor ongoing water negotiations, especially those related to the Colorado River, the Central Arizona Project (CAP), and the state’s other groundwater and surface water resources.  For example, the State of Arizona’s interest in future Colorado River supplies is managed by the Arizona Department of Water Resources.  Any proposals received by WIFA about the LTWAF program that affect programs managed by others will be coordinated with the responsible agencies.
• Augmentation projects will most likely require significant infrastructure investments.
• Augmentation projects will support resiliency for the state’s long-term economic and social development.
  • Investing in water augmentation helps communities adapt to climate impacts including drought, wildfires, and flooding.
  • Water augmentation can strengthen economies, revitalize communities, nurture healthy ecosystems address cultural, and equity needs and concerns, and support employment.
  • Water augmentation supports resource conservation and supply reliability.

Why is augmentation an important strategy for Arizona?

Water security is a key to sustaining life, especially in the Sonoran Desert. Water augmentation projects will benefit Arizona’s current and future communities, the economy, and the environment.

• The LTWAF is part of a commitment to managing water projects that can prepare Arizona’s communities for a changing climate, create jobs, and sustain the economy.
• The LTWAF allows for the investment in water infrastructure that can ensure that the water supply communities depend on will be safer, more reliable, and more accessible.

Reliability/Resiliency

• A changing climate can dramatically affect the water cycle and impact the availability and security of Arizona’s water supplies. The LTWAF can support water projects that will ultimately protect the health and safety of our communities.

Equity

• Water augmentation projects can expand opportunities by creating jobs, building transferable skills, and diversifying the water workforce.
• The LTWAF provides current and future generations the opportunity to build more equitable and resilient water systems.

Economy

• Water augmentation projects can expand opportunities by creating jobs, building transferable skills, and diversifying the water workforce.
• Water augmentation, and ultimately the increase in the state’s water supply will help create a more sustainable and resilient future for Arizona’s communities.

How much water does Arizona need?

In 2023, WIFA and its consultants reviewed existing supply and demand projections (a “top-down” approach) and held conversations with a wide array of water providers (a “bottom-up” approach) to determine an appropriate scale for an imported water project or projects. Through this needs assessment, WIFA identified an interest for between 100,000 and 500,000 acre feet per year of augmented water over a 5-15 year timeframe. This does not represent Arizona’s overall water needs, but rather, the portion of those water needs that utilities and water users believe could be effectively met through relatively expensive augmented water. View the complete Needs Assessment to learn more about our findings and how they will shape WIFA's approach to water augmentation projects.