The Indicator from Planet Money The reality stopping water pipelines to the parched western US
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Feb 3, 2025 
Alex Hager, a water infrastructure expert, unpacks the complexities of moving water from the East to the drought-prone West. He explains why the long-discussed pipeline from the Colorado River is fraught with engineering, political, and financial challenges. Hager highlights the historical context of water scarcity in the West and the urgent need for improved water distribution, while discussing advanced recycling technologies as potential solutions. The conversation reveals the reluctance of eastern regions to share their precious resources.
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Early Water Pipelines
- In the 1930s, Colorado farmers sought water from the west side of the Continental Divide to the drier east side.
- Engineers built tunnels and canals to move water, defying gravity and shaping the West's development.
Pipeline Feasibility
- A pipeline solution for current water challenges faces engineering hurdles.
- Existing pipelines were feasible, while remaining options are not, according to John Fleck.
Political Hurdles
- Political obstacles hinder water transfer solutions.
- No single agency controls water management, and there's no clear authority to grant permission for inter-regional transfers.