In this episode Talking Under Water co-hosts discuss escalating water use restrictions in Denver, the broader legal and political fight over Colorado River allocations, and what differing conservation strategies reveal about the future of water management in the West. The conversation begins with Denver Water’s declaration of a Stage 1 drought, outlining outdoor watering limits, fines for repeat violations, and how these measures compare with long‑standing, highly structured conservation programs in Southern Nevada. The episode then zooms out to the Colorado River basin, breaking down the growing split between upper and lower basin states, the looming possibility of Supreme Court litigation, and disagreements over delivery obligations rooted in the 1922 Colorado River Compact. The hosts explore what water scarcity could mean for cities, agriculture, and priority water rights, and why the lack of a statewide curtailment plan in Colorado raises serious questions. In additional news, the podcast reflects on the passing of Dr. James Barnard, a pioneering figure in biological nutrient removal, and covers bipartisan federal efforts to fund advanced wastewater treatment for PFAS. The episode rounds out with updates on sediment cleanups, beach water quality monitoring, stormwater permitting debates, and ongoing concerns about affordability as utilities face increasing regulatory and infrastructure demands.  Show Notes: Denver water restrictions expected to begin March 25 amid near-record low snowpack Denver Water Rules for outdoor water use Denver Water’s 2026 Water Budget Program The Colorado River is on the brink of possible forced water cuts. One thing is certain: There will be lawyers. Las Vegas Valley Conservation Schedule Las Vegas Valley water waste fees and policies Lower Colorado River Basin states agree to conserve 3 million acre-feet of water (2023) Opposing viewpoints: what the Colorado River water allocation debate is about, and who has piped up Water Technology House advances BEACH Act reauthorization to strengthen water quality monitoring EPA resumes Cuyahoga River sediment cleanup in Ohio EPA resumes final phase of Rouge River sediment cleanup in Detroit PFAS contamination raises new concerns in Louisiana facility's stormwater discharges Stormwater sector pushes back as Washington targets permits: rules and affordable housing can coexist Wastewater pioneer James Barnard dies at 90  Bipartisan bill targets funding for advanced wastewater treatment and PFAS removal EPA seeks public input on financial capability guidance for wastewater upgrades Timestamps:   01:23 – Denver Water declares Stage 1 drought 02:18 – Stage 1 drought rules explained 04:11 – Colorado River basin context 05:31 – The 1922 Colorado River Compact 06:51 – Lower basin conservation agreement 07:45 – States respond as litigation looms 08:41 – Nevada water conservation comparison 10:31 – Potential impacts to Colorado water users 12:12 – Agriculture vs. municipal water use debate 14:32 – Passing of Dr. James Barnard 15:22 – PFAS treatment funding proposal 16:20 – EPA affordability guidance update 17:16 – Federal water policy & cleanup updates 19:24 – PFAS contamination incident 20:09 – Stormwater permitting under scrutiny 20:44 – Housekeeping   Resources:   Use code WWD15 to get 15% off your attendee pass when you register at StormCon.com.   About the Podcast Talking Under Water is the premier podcast for the water industry, including municipal water and wastewater, residential water treatment, storm water management and erosion control. It is produced in coordination between Wastewater Digest (WWD), WaterWorld and Storm Water Solutions (SWS). The podcast covers topics under the One Water movement including the municipal and industrial water and wastewater, residential, stormwater and erosion control markets. Talking Under Water highlights news, trends, new technologies, industry discussions and interviews with experts across the municipal water industry. New episodes of the podcast are released every other week. Logo Images: Anatoly Tiplyashin / Romolo Tavani / stock.adobe.com.     Contact the Talking Under Water podcast editors by emailing [email protected] engaging with them on X @TUWpodcast. Join the conversation by commenting or using the hashtag #talkingunderwaterpod on social media.