Arizona’s taps won’t run dry, but water bills will go up under federal plan for Colorado River

The Central Arizona Project canal winds through Phoenix on March 26, 2026. The 336-mile canal system pumps water from the Colorado River to the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Water supplies for the canal

New federal rules mean Arizona will be getting a lot less water from the Colorado river. City leaders say they’ve been planning for years and no one will run out, but keeping taps flowing is expensive.

(Image credit: Alex Hager)