• $257.6 million in federal funds will support long-term Colordo River water conservation.
• Projects will conserve over 64,500 acre-feet of water in 10 years.
• Funding was previously frozen under the Trump administration.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 — Millions of dollars in Colorado River conservation funding are flowing again to Arizona after a previous freeze, thanks to efforts led by Senator Ruben Gallego and others. On March 20, Gallego announced that funding originally authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has been restored following sustained communication with the Biden administration and the Department of the Interior.

The funding had been paused during the Trump administration. Gallego, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, credited open communication with federal agencies for the reversal. “I’d like to thank the Department of Interior and Bureau of Reclamation for having open lines of communication and for listening when I explained how this funding freeze would negatively impact Arizona’s cities, tribes, and farmers – not to mention our state’s long-term water security,” Gallego said.

Gallego emphasized his bipartisan approach: “When I came to the Senate, I promised to work with anyone and everyone to deliver for Arizonans. This is what that looks like.”

Support from Tribal and Local Leaders.

The Gila River Indian Community expressed appreciation for Gallego’s involvement. “The Gila River Indian Community appreciates Senator Gallego’s persistent commitment to ensuring the drought relief funds from the Inflation Reduction Act were released,” said Governor Stephen Roe Lewis. “The Community is committed to being good stewards of that funding and providing water savings for the Basin.”

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero also acknowledged Gallego’s role, noting that the city’s planned advanced water purification facility can now move forward. “With confirmation of the funds’ release, we’re excited to proceed with the project that will provide a sustainable water supply for the Tucson region,” she said.

Project Details Across Arizona.

In total, Arizona will receive $257.6 million for projects in Tucson, Gilbert, and the Salt River Project (in partnership with Central Arizona Project). The conservation goal is to save 64,500 acre-feet of water over the next decade.

• City of Tucson ($86.6 million): Tucson will construct an Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Facility, which will treat water from the Tres Rios facility for direct potable reuse. This is expected to conserve 56,000 acre-feet of water.

• Salt River Project and Central Arizona Project ($154 million): This initiative involves building an interconnection facility to enable flexible water deliveries along the Colorado River. The agreement also requires a System Conservation Implementation Agreement and an Environmental Impact Statement to ensure water savings reach Lake Mead.

• Town of Gilbert ($3 million + $13.8 million): Gilbert will install nearly 28,000 smart water meters and improve water distribution at its Riparian Preserve. These efforts aim to conserve a combined 8,500 acre-feet of water.

The funding comes from the Inflation Reduction Act.

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Image:

Central Arizona Project Aqueduct.  “Taken by myself in Scottsdale, Arizona from the bridge on Via Linda just north of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard,” by Exif, July 2026.

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