The seven states that rely on the shrinking Colorado River for their water supply all believe they must cut their usage, but up to this point, an agreement has not been reached.
The two-year-long feud - which already has some cities signaling there could soon be water cuts - was supposed to be resolved by the February 14 deadline that had been imposed by the federal government.
For the last two decades, the southwestern United States has endured its driest period in at least 1,200 years, according to a UCLA study. A consistent lack of rain combined with stubbornly high temperatures has dramatically reduced the flow of the Colorado River, leaving critical reservoirs such as Lake Mead and Lake Powell at historically low levels.
In a statement last week, the Upper Colorado River Basin states of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming called for 'immediate mediation' with the Lower Colorado River Basin states of Nevada, California and Arizona.
The Lower Basin states have not agreed to formal mediation yet, pointing out that they have already pledged to reduce their allocation of the Colorado River's water by substantial amounts - Arizona by 27 percent, California by 10 percent and Nevada by almost 17 percent.
These three states also argue all river-users must share in the responsibility of water conservation and should commit to large, fixed cuts.
The Upper Basin states disagree. They want the Lower Basin to shoulder most of the water cuts, given that they use more of it, especially California.
Additionally, the Upper Basin proposal from 2024 states that there should be no fixed cuts and that the river should be split based on real-time water supply.
Seven states - Colorado, Utah , New Mexico, Wyoming, Nevada , California and Arizona - all share access to the all-important Colorado River (pictured). By October 1, they all have to agree to a new water-sharing agreement or risk unilateral action by the federal government
The Interior Department, led by Doug Burgum, has signaled its belief that it has the authority to cut half of Nevada's share of the river. This would almost certainly trigger a lawsuit that could ultimately be decided in the Supreme Court
Time is running out for the seven states to come together, because the current water-usage plan expires in September. A new plan must be in place by October 1.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said he aims to propose such a plan by the summer.
Burgum's statement comes after his department and the Bureau of Reclamation announced an emergency plan to move water from an upstream source into Lake Powell, a reservoir some 40 million people depend on for reliable water access.
That plan will also reduce water releases from Lake Powell into Lake Mead, the manmade body of water that supplies Arizona, Nevada and parts of California.
The states that draw from the Colorado River are keen on reaching a resolution before October 1, particularly based on the fear that the Interior Department might move to cut half of Nevada's share of the river.
This would almost certainly trigger a lawsuit that could work its way up to the Supreme Court. States, more than anything, want to avoid a costly legal battle that could take years.
Still, the downside of going through mediation and not the courts is that states likely won't see the mediator's final decision as binding, according to John Entsminger, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
'It’s certainly not litigation; it’s not even arbitration,' Entsminger told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 'It's more of a marriage counselor.'
Burgum will propose a water-sharing plan between the states by the summer. It comes after his department announced a plan that would reduce water releases into Lake Mead (pictured)
Phoenix is taking proactive steps to ensure it won't run out of water amid the uncertainty
Las Vegas has also signaled it is ready to cut water in case federal intervention becomes a reality
'It’s disappointing that seven professional water managers appointed by our governors can’t find a common-sense solution,' Entsminger added. 'I’d rather mediate than litigate.'
The overall uncertainty surrounding the water-sharing agreement has left many cities in the lurch. Phoenix, for one, is taking proactive steps to ensure it won't run out of water.
City officials say there is enough water stored underground to last several years and that they are developing additional groundwater capacity.
Phoenix is currently in a Stage 1 drought, which encourages citizens to voluntarily conserve water.
But on Tuesday, officials acknowledged that by end of the year, they may have to move to a Stage 2 drought warning. This would impose mandatory limits on outdoor irrigation and a drought surcharge on water bills.
'People should not be worried that their taps are going to run dry. But a lot of the solutions to the Colorado River shortage are going to entail higher costs,' Kathryn Sorensen, a researcher at Arizona State University, told AZFamily this week.
Las Vegas is another city preparing for possible cuts to its water supply from the federal government.
Being located in the isolated, arid Mojave Desert, Las Vegas has, out of necessity, become a global leader in water conservation. Close to 99 percent of water used for toilets, sinks and showers is treated and returned to Lake Mead for reconsumption.
Nevada officials have said they will fight any potential cuts to its access to the Colorado River.