Photo: Agua Fria recharge basin near Phoenix
This year, state legislative leaders followed through on their commitment to strengthening Arizona’s water resources by directing over $360 million of state general fund dollars to be allocated to projects and programs that help to promote the conservation, development, and enhancement of water in Arizona.
“Never before in our state’s history has water been as important to our state’s economic prosperity and individual liberty as it is today,” said Representative Gail Griffin, Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water. “As Republicans, we will continue to find solutions to Arizona’s most pressing issues, from water security to housing availability. We will continue to make investments in Arizona’s long-term water future.”
State agencies responsible for administering these funds include, but are not limited to, the Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority, the Arizona Department of Water Resources, the Arizona Commerce Authority, and the Arizona State Land Department.
Here are some of the noteworthy investments that Republicans made in FY24 [sic] to help secure Arizona’s water future:
- Water infrastructure projects
- Reconstruction of a levee
- Design and construction of a recharge basin
- Installation of new irrigation systems and xeriscaping
- Water project assistance for cities, towns, and irrigation districts in rural counties
- Wastewater system improvements
- Construction of groundwater delivery infrastructure
- Brackish groundwater recovery pilot program
- Statewide water resources planning
- Water supply and demand assessments
- Assured and adequate water supply administration
- Stream adjudication support
- Rural water studies
- Water protection fund for projects that address conservation and watershed improvement
- Conservation and drought program
- Brackish groundwater study
- Water conservation projects
- On-farm irrigation efficiency projects
- Water quality fee fund
- PFAS mitigation
- Safe drinking water program
- Direct potable reuse of treated wastewater
- Water infrastructure and commerce grants
- Long-term water augmentation
- Rehabilitation and drilling of new water wells
Additionally, state legislators continued their support of the state’s 42 Natural Resource Conservation Districts, which are recognized under Arizona law as having special expertise in the fields of managing land, water, soil, and natural resources. The districts are charged to develop comprehensive plans for the conservation of water, to protect water rights, and to enter into agreements with landowners for the development of water projects, which will be critical as the state moves forward.
