By BEX Staff for AZBEX
Arizona may have ongoing concerns about its water supply, but a deluge of federal funding announcements has come out recently to ensure both the water, and the dollars, keep flowing.
In a June 10 announcement, “Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema applauded funding they helped secure for three aging infrastructure projects totaling $12.445M.”
The funds provided by the Bureau of Reclamation will go toward modernizing outdated water systems to strengthen long-term reliability. The projects and funding levels are:
- Glen Canyon Outlet Works: $8.945M;
- Bypass Drain O&M Access Road Repairs: $2.5M, and
- Deer Island Backwater Infrastructure Replacement: $1M
The Center Square quoted Sinema as saying, “Arizona’s economy and environment depend on a strong, resilient water supply throughout the American West. Today’s funds upgrade outdated water systems throughout Arizona to secure our water future.”
The Center Square also reported the Bureau of Reclamation has designated $8.3B in water infrastructure improvements across the country.
Maricopa Aquifer Recharge
The City of Maricopa announced it has signed a Project Partnership Agreement that allocated $6.5M for an aquifer recharge project in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Global Water.
Under the agreement, Maricopa’s local aquifers will be recharged with treated water to support the City’s supply and infrastructure needs to meet current and future growth.
According to the announcement, funding was provided under the Water Resources Development Act of 2022. A total of $19M was provided for projects in Arizona, 35% of which was dedicated for Maricopa.
Kyrene Water Reclamation Facility Funding
The City of Tempe also announced this week it has signed an agreement for funding to reactivate the Kyrene Water Reclamation Facility in Guadalupe.
Under the agreement, Tempe will partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and use $3.45M in federal funds to prepare the facility for reopening in 2027. Water reclaimed by restarting the plant is expected to contribute to the City’s drought resiliency and increase water supply diversification.