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Companies like Procter & Gamble and Google are financially backing water conservation projects in the Colorado River basin in Arizona. This is part of a larger trend following a reduction in federal funding for such projects under the Trump administration. The water conservation efforts, such as high-tech irrigation systems, aim to minimize water usage and waste, protect businesses from potential risks associated with shortages, and help companies maintain a positive public image amid growing environmental concerns.
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Corporate Investments Boost Conservation Efforts in Arizona’s Deserts
On a chilly morning just south of Phoenix, David DeJong, Director of the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project, watches as water surges into a field of alfalfa through high-tech canal gates which ensure precise water distribution. Less time, from eight to 12 hours down to just one, is now needed to soak these fields, thanks to the new gates deployed in the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) fields under DeJong’s watch.
In recent years, GRIC has initiated multiple high-profile conservation initiatives, reducing their water usage and contributing the surplus to Lake Mead, the country’s largest reservoir. Most of these conservation efforts were financed with federal funds under the Biden administration, but now, large corporations are stepping in to share the financial burden.
Corporations Funding Water Conservation
Corporate giants have begun to fill the void left by the sharp decline in federal spending on water infrastructure in Arizona and the wider Colorado River basin under the Trump administration. Shannon Quinn, of Procter & Gamble (P&G), describes the company’s contribution to the new irrigation system. The consumer goods conglomerate, alongside Google, funded approximately 60% of the project. Quinn explains, “Water is essential to our business… We need it to make our products… So it’s central.”
Emerging Corporate Interest in Water Conservation
P&G’s efforts are reflective of a larger trend in the Colorado River basin, which spans from Wyoming to Mexico. The Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a nonprofit organization that directs corporate financial contributions towards water conservation through its “Business for Water Stewardship” program, has garnered more than $27 million from major corporations for conservation projects since 2020.
The Role of Corporations in Water Conservation
Two primary reasons drive corporations to invest in water conservation: maintaining their ability to produce goods in the face of water scarcity and protecting their reputation with consumers who may be put off by companies contributing to water shortages. For instance, deepening water shortages in the Southwest could make it challenging and costly to continue operating factories in the region.
Corporate-Fiunded Conservation Projects and their Impact
Though corporate spending on conservation constitutes a small percentage of total conservation spending, particularly considering the looming water supply cutbacks and the need for costly infrastructure upgrades, it can contribute in meaningful ways. Corporate funding, while unable to fill the void left by federal funding reductions, can help diversify the pool of funding available for such projects.
Tracking Corporate Conservation Efforts
Experts such as Sarah Porter, Director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, emphasize the importance of transparency and reporting to ensure that corporate conservation spending contributes to the preservation of water resources and is not merely a tool for boosting their reputation.
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