Partners in Water Conservation
Binational Intentionally Created Surplus (ICS), or BICS, is a conservation mechanism created through the binational agreements of Minutes 319 and 323. These agreements have provided for the development and implementation of water conservation programs located in Mexico with compensation funding provided by partnering organizations in the United States, such as the Central Arizona Water Conservation District.
In return, the water conservation created through these programs helps Mexico to intentionally reduce its water use through conservation measures, and the conserved water is stored in Lake Mead as BICS.
During the long-term, these types of water conservation programs provide infrastructure and system improvements to Mexico’s water system. Joint cooperative measures between Mexico and the United States increase Lake Mead’s storage for future use and improve water use efficiencies, benefiting all water users in the Lower Colorado River Basin and Mexico.
