Wouldn't it be cheaper to build the desalination plants on the coast and sell it to California cities/famers in exchange for water that usually goes down the Co

Wouldn't it be cheaper to build the desalination plants on the coast and sell it to California cities/famers in exchange for water that usually goes down the Colorado River from Nevada to California. Pumping it upstream seems like a waste of energy and infrastructure when the cities in Southern California already want and need the water for their residents. The problem isn't that there isn't enough water for Vegas passing through Lake Mead. Its that legally they are obligated to send it downstream. Nevada gets a meager 4% of the lower basin of the river, while California gets 58.7% [1] [1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_River_Compact https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_River_Compact