This week, a nasty fight has exploded on the US political stage. This is not about congressional votes or presidential candidates. Instead, it revolves around something so mundane that it is often ignored: water.
On Tuesday, the seven states that use the Colorado River for hydration — Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — were supposed to agree a plan to cut their water usage. This comes after the region’s driest two decades in 1,200 years.
However, the group missed the deadline, due to bitter fights. Most notably, six states have created a joint proposal for water savings, which California is trying to veto. The federal government, which wants joint cuts equivalent to a third of the average river flow, may now impose an emergency reduction plan. However, California will almost certainly contest this in court. Cue more fighting, as river levels drop.
