How Cadiz, Inc. Is Turning Desert Resources into Water Security Lifelines

As climate change intensifies droughts and disrupts weather patterns across the American Southwest, one company is tackling the region's most pressing challenge head-on: water security. Cadiz, Inc. is reshaping the conversation around sustainability and infrastructure, proving that the future of water doesn't lie in scarcity, but in smarter solutions.

A Mission Rooted in Equity

At the heart of Cadiz's mission is a powerful belief: access to clean water is a human right. The company partners with local governments, tribal communities, and public agencies to deliver affordable and reliable water to regions long underserved by outdated infrastructure. Their collaborative model stands out in an industry often marked by bureaucracy and imbalance.

From its work with the Salton Sea Authority and the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians to the Fontana Valley Water Authority, Cadiz is advancing water equity by ensuring struggling communities don't have clean, affordable water out of reach.

Mojave Groundwater Bank: A Climate Solution

Perhaps the most ambitious of Cadiz's initiatives is the Mojave Groundwater Bank, an underground storage and delivery system located on a 30,000-acre property in the Mojave Desert. Unlike open-air reservoirs that lose billions of gallons annually to evaporation, the Bank secures water in naturally recharging aquifers underground, preserving it for drinking, irrigation, and emergency use. With a capacity of 1 million acre-feet and 30 million acre-feet already stored, the Bank can deliver new water to over 400,000 people every year.

This initiative also introduces a collaborative governance model involving public agencies and Tribal Nations, and repurposes over 200 miles of decommissioned fossil fuel pipelines to link the Bank with California's existing water networks. By reducing evaporative loss, construction costs, and environmental disturbance, the Bank stands to deliver long-term benefits to regions like Antelope Valley and the Coachella Valley starting in 2027.

Repurposing the Past for a Sustainable Future

Cadiz doesn't just build new systems; they reimagine old ones. Their transformation of legacy fossil fuel infrastructure into water conveyance corridors illustrates a pragmatic shift. With plans for both northern and southern pipeline routes, Cadiz is building redundancy and distribution flexibility into the system.

Environmental Stewardship at Scale

With 45,000 acres of desert land under management, Cadiz maintains an uncompromising focus on environmental stewardship. Their desert tortoise preserve spans 7,400 acres, and their groundwater monitoring programs ensure aquifer protection. They also lease land for renewable energy projects, further aligning their operations with clean energy climate goals.

Clean Water Through Advanced Filtration

Cadiz's acquisition of ATEC Systems has expanded its offerings to include scalable water treatment technologies. These systems tackle contaminants like PFAS and arsenic, making them a lifeline for small towns and rural agencies with limited resources.

This innovation meets a real need: cost-effective, accessible water purification that doesn't compromise on safety.

Driving Economic Impact and Inclusion

Beyond clean water, Cadiz is generating nearly $900 million in economic output through its water banking and pipeline projects. Thousands of jobs are being created, with a commitment to prioritize local labor and veterans. Ongoing roles in maintenance and aquifer monitoring will sustain long-term employment.

The company's structure allows for tribal ownership and community reinvestment, aligning profitability with social good. With CEO Susan Kennedy's policy expertise, Cadiz is uniquely equipped to navigate regulatory hurdles and drive real impact.

A Smarter Future Starts Now

Cadiz, Inc. is not just a water provider. They are architects of resilience, working to future-proof the American West by turning underutilized desert resources into engines of hope and stability. By uniting water supply, storage, conveyance, and treatment into one integrated system, the Mojave Groundwater Bank offers a replicable model for global water resilience.

In a time of uncertainty, their approach offers something rare: solutions you can trust.