Can desalination plants solve the West’s water problem?

<p>A critically important source of water for seven western states, the Colorado River is now running out of water. To fix the problem a public lands access group has proposed an <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/03/15/colorado-river-california-water-crisis-nuclear-power-desalination/88836231007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ambitious plan to build eight massive desalination plants off the California coastline</a>, turning ocean water into fresh water for farming, and reducing demand on the ailing Colorado River. The question is, will it work? USA TODAY National Reporter Trevor Hughes joins The Excerpt to break down the issues and what's at stake.</p><p>Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:podcasts@usatoday.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcasts@usatoday.com</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Episode transcript&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/03/18/the-audacious-western-water-solution-to-fix-the-colorado-river-the-excerpt/89192678007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">available here</a>.&nbsp;</p><p><br /></p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>