- Arizona’s largest Colorado River water district has cleared a procedural step needed for possible legal action.
- The district previously authorized $12 million for potential litigation.
- Its top priority remains reaching a three-state Lower Basin agreement.
- The district says Upper Basin states should make cuts while Lower Basin states reduce water use.
- Officials say the new authorization allows the district to move quickly if litigation becomes necessary.
Saturday, September 5, 2026 — The Central Arizona Water Conservation District has taken another step to prepare for a possible legal fight over the Colorado River, while emphasizing that reaching an agreement among the three Lower Basin states remains its first priority.
The district’s board voted September 3 
to authorize the district to act quickly if legal action becomes necessary as decisions surrounding Colorado River operations continue to develop.
The action does not mean the district has filed a lawsuit. Instead, it completes a procedural step required under Arizona law so the district can protect and defend its rights if officials later decide that court action is appropriate.
$12 Million Already Set Aside for Litigation.
The September 3 vote follows an earlier decision by the district to authorize $12 million in litigation funding.
Together, the two actions put the Central Arizona Water Conservation District in a position to pursue legal action if district officials determine that such a step becomes necessary.
The district operates the Central Arizona Project, which delivers Colorado River water to central and southern Arizona.
For now, however, district officials say their first choice is an agreement rather than litigation.
“Our top priority is finalizing a three-state Lower Basin deal,” Central Arizona Project General Manager Brenda Burman said. “If litigation becomes necessary, the Board has taken action to ensure that we are in a position to defend our rights.”
District Calls for Lower Basin Agreement.
The Central Arizona Water Conservation District is encouraging the Lower Basin states to complete and sign an agreement.
The Lower Basin consists of Arizona, California and Nevada.
According to the district, such an agreement would provide greater stability for water users during a period of uncertainty surrounding Colorado River operations.
At the same time, the district took a firm position on water use in the Upper Basin.
It said the Upper Basin states should be required to reduce their water use, and should not be permitted to increase their use while Lower Basin states are making what the district described as “historic and painful sacrifices.”
Preparing for More Than One Possibility.
The September 3 action leaves the district prepared for two different paths.
Its stated priority is an agreement among Arizona, California and Nevada. But the board has now taken the procedural steps needed to respond quickly if officials decide the dispute requires legal action.
With $12 million previously authorized for litigation, the district says it is prepared to defend its rights if that becomes necessary.
