Central Arizona Project is one of 12 members of the Water Utility Climate Alliance (WUCA), a coalition of the nation’s largest water providers. WUCA advances climate change adaptation, planning and decision-making to ensure that water utilities – and the communities they serve – can thrive in the face of emerging climate challenges.
“Central Arizona Project and WUCA are dedicated to enhancing climate change research and improving water management decision-making,” says Nolie Templeton, PhD, CAP’s WUCA representative. “This ensures water utilities are positioned to respond to climate change and protect their water supplies.”
WUCA and the Aspen Global Change Institute have released a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Guide to support WUCA members and other water utilities in using the latest climate projection data from the Climate Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). CMIP is a collaborative framework designed to better understand the impacts of climate change and CMIP6 is the most recent compilation of global climate projections. CMIP projections are among the hydrology ensembles being used for post-2026 alternative analysis. This FAQ guide provides clear, practical answers to help utilities access, interpret and apply CMIP6 data effectively, including guidance as to when it may be more appropriate to use existing datasets.
Examples of key questions addressed include:
- What is CMIP6 and what data is available?
- How is CMIP6 different than CMIP5 – and is it better?
- Should CMIP6 or CMIP5 be used in a new analysis? Should existing CMIP5 analyses be updated with CMIP6?
- How can under-resourced communities and water providers best use CMIP6 (and/or CMIP5)? Are there specific resources that enable easier access to, and interpretation of, local or regional climate projections?
Developed with input from WUCA staff, water professionals and climate scientists – including representatives from CAP, the FAQ is designed to address the diverse climate challenges utilities face. It equips WUCA members and the broader water sector with the latest information, helping them select the most appropriate climate data for their specific questions. The guide makes climate information more accessible and actionable for building resilience and planning for future risks.
The FAQ Guide is available on the WUCA website where those interested can explore individual questions or download the entire guide.

KRA: Stewardship & Sustainability
Serving as proactive leaders in sustainability and responsible, collaborative stewards of CAP’s Colorado River supply