 Under review now: a $1.25 million WIFA grant to fund construction of a new recharge basin at the Shirley C. Scott Southeast Houghton Area Recharge Project (SHARP) to match federal member-directed funding.
Success Story: Securing Funding from State and Federal Partners
Tucson Water has a successful record of obtaining funding sources, separate from customer-related revenues, to invest in improving water infrastructure, sustainability, service, quality, and public health. During the past year, the utility was awarded $13.6 million in forgivable loans, $24.9 million in state funding, $26.8 million in loans at below-market interest rates, and $3.5 million in federal funds led by Congressman Juan Ciscomani working across the aisle.
Why Extra Millions Matter
We direct these funds, with the guidance of the Citizens’ Water Advisory Committee (CWAC) and Mayor and Council, to:
- Increase efficiency and reduce costs
- Pilot new infrastructure, technology, and services
- Create better ways to connect to and serve customers
- Improve water quality and safety
Our Funding Partners
We work primarily with two agencies to obtain funding:
The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA), an independent state agency authorized to finance the construction, rehabilitation, acquisition, and improvement of water infrastructure in Arizona. WIFA funding includes bonds, federal grants (including Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding), state appropriations, and loans at below-market interest rates. WIFA awarded Tucson Water $18.1 million in forgivable loans and grants, plus $26.8 million in below-market rate loans. There is $6.7 million in WIFA grants in process.
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), is the administrator for the state’s environmental laws and delegated federal programs and funding working to prevent air, water, and land pollution and ensure cleanup. ADEQ has awarded the utility $24.9 million.
New: $1 Billion to Fight PFAS On April 10, the EPA announced $1 billion in newly available federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address PFAS in drinking water. Tucson Water will pursue these additional federal funds so we can continue to invest in local projects to monitor, treat, and remove PFAS.
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