The battle over Colorado River resources is brewing
In this episode Talking Under Water co-hosts discuss escalating water use restrictions in Denver, the broader legal and political fight over Colorado River allocations, and what differing conservation strategies reveal about the future of water management in the West. The conversation begins with Denver Water’s declaration of a Stage 1 drought, outlining outdoor watering limits, fines for repeat violations, and how these measures compare with long‑standing, highly structured conservation programs in Southern Nevada.
The episode then zooms out to the Colorado River basin, breaking down the growing split between upper and lower basin states, the looming possibility of Supreme Court litigation, and disagreements over delivery obligations rooted in the 1922 Colorado River Compact. The hosts explore what water scarcity could mean for cities, agriculture, and priority water rights, and why the lack of a statewide curtailment plan in Colorado raises serious questions.
In additional news, the podcast reflects on the passing of Dr. James Barnard, a pioneering figure in biological nutrient removal, and covers bipartisan federal efforts to fund advanced wastewater treatment for PFAS. The episode rounds out with updates on sediment cleanups, beach water quality monitoring, stormwater permitting debates, and ongoing concerns about affordability as utilities face increasing regulatory and infrastructure demands.
Show Notes:
Denver water restrictions expected to begin March 25 amid near-record low snowpack
Denver Water Rules for outdoor water use
Denver Water’s 2026 Water Budget Program
Las Vegas Valley Conservation Schedule
Las Vegas Valley water waste fees and policies
Lower Colorado River Basin states agree to conserve 3 million acre-feet of water (2023)
Opposing viewpoints: what the Colorado River water allocation debate is about, and who has piped up
House advances BEACH Act reauthorization to strengthen water quality monitoring
EPA resumes Cuyahoga River sediment cleanup in Ohio
EPA resumes final phase of Rouge River sediment cleanup in Detroit
PFAS contamination raises new concerns in Louisiana facility's stormwater discharges
Wastewater pioneer James Barnard dies at 90
Bipartisan bill targets funding for advanced wastewater treatment and PFAS removal
EPA seeks public input on financial capability guidance for wastewater upgrades
Timestamps:
- 01:23 – Denver Water declares Stage 1 drought
- 02:18 – Stage 1 drought rules explained
- 04:11 – Colorado River basin context
- 05:31 – The 1922 Colorado River Compact
- 06:51 – Lower basin conservation agreement
- 07:45 – States respond as litigation looms
- 08:41 – Nevada water conservation comparison
- 10:31 – Potential impacts to Colorado water users
- 12:12 – Agriculture vs. municipal water use debate
- 14:32 – Passing of Dr. James Barnard
- 15:22 – PFAS treatment funding proposal
- 16:20 – EPA affordability guidance update
- 17:16 – Federal water policy & cleanup updates
- 19:24 – PFAS contamination incident
- 20:09 – Stormwater permitting under scrutiny
- 20:44 – Housekeeping
Resources:
· Use code WWD15 to get 15% off your attendee pass when you register at StormCon.com.
About the Podcast
Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Storm Water Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.
Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing [email protected] engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.
About the Author
Mandy Crispin
Mandy Crispin is the editor-in-chief of WaterWorld, having joined Endeavor Business Media in 2023. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada and is a graduate of University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has internal and external corporate communications experience in disparate industries including online retail, gaming, plastics and is now enjoying exploring the water utility space. Crispin can be reach at [email protected].
Bob Crossen
Bob Crossen is the vice president of content strategy for the Water and Energy Groups of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B. EB2B publishes WaterWorld, Wastewater Digest and Stormwater Solutions in its water portfolio and publishes Oil & Gas Journal, Offshore Magazine, T&D World, EnergyTech and Microgrid Knowledge in its energy portfolio. Crossen graduated from Illinois State University in Dec. 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in German and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. He worked for Campbell Publications, a weekly newspaper company in rural Illinois outside St. Louis for four years as a reporter and regional editor. Crossen can be reached at [email protected].
Sarah Komenik
Sarah Kominek is the head of content for Stormwater Solutions at Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B. Kominek graduated from Wayne State University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a minor in Communication. She worked as a reporter for Plastics News, a Crain Communications publication, for six years covering public policy and medical plastics.