Unprecedented funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is transforming communities across Arizona
SAN FRANCISCO, CA– Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $70 million ($70,541,000) from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Arizona drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. This historic funding is part of over $50 billion in water infrastructure upgrade investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the largest investment in American history. Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach disadvantaged and underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure. This vital funding will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state.
“All people deserve the peace of mind that the water they drink, swim and bathe in, and use to feed their families is safe, readily available, and clean,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is making this a reality for tens of millions of Americans throughout the Pacific Southwest, especially those that need it the most. In partnership with communities and state leaders, we’re investing in cutting-edge technology, infrastructure, and nature-based solutions to provide sustainable, clean water that will improve the health and quality of life for communities and the environment.”
“As Arizona faces a historic drought, protecting access to clean drinking water was a priority of mine when negotiating the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” U.S. Senator Mark Kelly said. “I’m glad to see these unprecedented investments that will support continued growth and prosperity for communities across our state.”
“As a lifelong resident of the Tucson southside, I’m all too familiar with toxic chemicals that polluted our community’s drinking water and the adverse health impacts that followed,” said U.S. Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07). “This massive investment from the Biden administration will be transformative and help ensure safe drinking water for the City of Tucson. I was proud to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as a down payment to address historic inequities and will continue to fight for policies that will guarantee clean drinking water and a healthy environment for future generations.”
Communities across the country are facing urgent water infrastructure challenges. Many cities and towns have aging water infrastructure – old, broken, or lead pipes carrying drinking water and wastewater treatment plants needing major upgrades. Some communities struggle to maintain adequate stormwater infrastructure to manage flood impacts from climate change effectively; others need to upgrade their water treatment to address emerging contaminants like PFAS.
The funding EPA announced for Arizona is part of a $5.8 billion investment through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), one of EPA’s signature water investment programs. This multi-billion-dollar investment will fund state-run, low-interest loan programs to address critical challenges, with $2.6 billion going to the Clean Water SRF for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure and $3.2 billion going to the Drinking Water SRF for drinking water infrastructure nationwide. Today’s announcement includes allotments for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law General Supplemental funds and Emerging Contaminant funds for SRF programs for fiscal year 2024. EPA anticipates announcing allocations for billions of dollars in additional resources for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Replacement fund later this Spring.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Action in Arizona
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has provided nearly $275 million ($274,773,000) into water infrastructure projects across Arizona, protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs.
Drought is straining Tucson’s drinking water supply. At the same time, some drinking water wells have been affected by PFAS and 1,4-dioxane, which can harm human health and development. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $33.5 million to Tucson to treat well water to eliminate these contaminants and upgrade their system to ensure safe, reliable water service for the community.
The City also received a $6.95 million forgivable loan to develop a Lead Service Line inventory of utility and customer service lines for their nine public water systems, including disadvantaged communities. Tucson will use this inventory to develop a plan to replace lead service lines in the community, providing clean water and better health to residents and visitors alike.
Additionally, the City of Casa Grande in Pinal County, Arizona, received over $8.1 million ($8,103,235) from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for their Wastewater Treatment Plant Solar Project. The city proposes to install a large-scale 2,050-kilowatt-dc solar photovoltaic (PV) array at the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), providing WRF with a renewable energy source that will last over 30 years. This project touches on multiple aspects of the City’s strategic planning initiatives and focus areas by continuing to forward community enhancement, quality of life infrastructure, and financial stability and sustainability. The new solar PV system will produce 3,900,000 kWh, offsetting 42% of electric consumption at the WRF. This project categorically qualifies for the Green Project Reserve (GPR) within the energy efficiency category (GPR EPA DW guidance, 3.2-1 Renewable energy projects). 100% of the project costs are to design and install the solar PV system.
These are just some of the Arizona projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s unprecedented and transformational investment. To view some stories about how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has impacted communities across the country, access the Investing in America’s Water Infrastructure Storymap here. For additional projects, see this Quarterly Report.
Background
The Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and the Clean Water State Revolving Funds have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for over 30 years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. SRF programs are critically important for investing in the nation’s water infrastructure. They are designed to generate significant sustainable water quality and public health benefits nationwide. The inherent structure of revolving loans amplifies their growth by making the payment of principal and interest on loans available to address future needs.
For more information, including state-by-state allocation of 2024 funding and a breakdown of EPA State Revolving Fund funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, please visit the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund website and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund website.
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