- Senator Kelly backs legislation for mine cleanup and PFAS solutions.
- Rep. Stanton secures major funding for critical water infrastructure.
- Reclamation invests in new recharge projects across the Southwest.
- Governor Hobbs underscores groundwater protection and innovation.
January 17, 2024 –– In a series of recent statements and legislative moves, Arizona officials have sharpened their focus on water security as part of a broader commitment to confront the state’s long-term water challenges. From the Arizona Capitol to the halls of Congress, leaders are championing policies that address aging mines, strengthen critical infrastructure, and prioritize sustainable groundwater management in communities across the region.
A January 16, 2025 article by Katya Mendoza for AZPM-PBS reported that Senator Mark Kelly highlighted the need to accelerate the cleanup of legacy mines, particularly those on the Navajo Nation
. During a confirmation hearing for Lee Zeldin, the nominee to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Kelly stressed the importance of speeding up the bureaucratic process under Superfund law. “Especially Arizona on the Navajo Nation…we have about 500 of them,” he said, outlining how these contaminated sites have worsened groundwater quality and contributed to grave health issues. Kelly urged Zeldin to support the Legacy Mine Cleanup Act, which would establish a specialized Office of Mountains, Deserts and Plains to expedite mine reclamation across the West. After a brief exchange, Zeldin agreed. Kelly also secured the nominee’s promise to help address PFAS contamination in Tucson’s groundwater, asking, “Mr. Zeldin, if confirmed, will you commit to working with my team and the City of Tucson to address the Tucson PFAS contamination?” to which Zeldin replied, “Yes, Senator.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Greg Stanton made headlines with a January 15, 2025, announcement that $154 million in federal funds will go toward constructing an interconnection facility between the Salt River Federal Reclamation project (SRP) and the Central Arizona Project (CAP). Stanton has fought to include significant funding to combat drought in the West in the Inflation Reduction Act and worked to push the legislation through the House. The SRP-CAP interconnection facility will move tens of thousands of acre-feet of water from the Salt River system to upstream users and treatment facilities along the CAP network—an infrastructure improvement deemed vital in mitigating water losses during high-flow events.
On January 14, the Bureau of Reclamation revealed more than $87 million for projects involving managed aquifer recharge in the Southwest. Among the Arizona-related developments is Peoria’s Reclaimed Water Transmission Project. This $13.45 million initiative will see the design and construction of expansions for local wastewater treatment, pump stations, reservoirs, and groundwater recharge facilities. Intended to recycle and store reclaimed water for later use, the project underscores the growing recognition that aquifer recharge is a key tool for climate resilience and drought management.
Governor Katie Hobbs, in a January 13, 2025 news release transcribing her State of the State address, reiterated her stance on safeguarding Arizona’s essential water resources. “One of our sacred freedoms is the right to clean water for all. We must protect Arizona’s most precious resource: water,” Hobbs said, pointing to the state’s long legacy of water innovation, from canal systems to landmark legislation like the Groundwater Management Act. She also cited actions to protect threatened groundwater basins, including designating new areas for stricter oversight. Hobbs has pledged to work with local, tribal, and federal partners to ensure that Arizona’s groundwater remains viable for future generations, calling out the need to defend the state’s Colorado River allocation and “continue that legacy, ensure our water future, and protect the Arizona Promise for those who follow in our footsteps.”
Taken together, these developments showcase Arizona leadership’s focus on water security. Whether working to clean up contaminated mine sites, securing funds for new infrastructure, or championing aquifer recharge and conservation measures, the common thread is clear: safeguarding Arizona’s supply of clean water for communities across the state remains a top priority.
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Image:
Adamsville, Arizona historic water tower
. October 2024, by Goldmoney10. Licensed under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.
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