Arizona’s Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) took a step toward importing billions of gallons of water from out of state, but it’ll likely be many years before that happens.  Why it matters: The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) projects that demand for water will increase by at least 1.5 million acre-feet — an acre-foot is about 326,000 gallons — by 2060.  That demand could hit 100,000-500,000 acre-feet within the next 10-15 years, according to WIFA.  WIFA hopes to meet that demand with the water importation project, which could bring in as much as about 163 billion gallons of water annually.  Threat level: The Colorado River basin has endured a “megadrought” for over two decades, the worst the region has experienced in roughly 1,200 years. The big picture: WIFA has approximately $445 million allocated for long-term water augmentation, with 75% legally designated for out-of-state sources.

Related Colorado River articles:

• The Colorado Sun: What is behind the high-stakes standoff over the Colorado River’s future? State negotiators have their say.
• Arizona Republic: Opinion: Western states don’t really want to solve the Colorado River crisis
• The Denver Gazette: Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act passes Senate and House
• Newsweek: Lake Mead’s uncertain future leads state to eye water imports
• The Seattle Times: Opinion: Protect the Gila and other wild waterways