Why one of the cities most dependent on the Colorado River now has water for sale
San Diego, a city historically reliant on the Colorado River, now has excess water available for sale due to improved water management practices. The city has invested in desalination and conservation efforts, allowing it to produce surplus water despite ongoing drought conditions. This shift raises questions about the future management of water resources in the region.
- ▪San Diego has developed a surplus of water through aggressive recycling and conservation programs.
- ▪The Claude 'Bud' Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant produces about 7-10% of the region's water.
- ▪The San Diego County Water Authority plans to exchange its Colorado River supplies for desalinated water, pending approval.
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National Why one of the cities most dependent on the Colorado River now has water for sale June 3, 202612:01 AM ET Heard on All Things Considered Kirk Siegler Why one of the cities most dependent on the Colorado River now has water for sale Listen · 4:00 4:00 Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5810173/nx-s1-9796269" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> A drone view from 2025 shows the Carlsbad desalination plant's intake lagoon on the right and the discharge canal on the left in Carlsbad, Calif.
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