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Contact: Date: Sept. 15, 2026 Andrew Squire
PIO, City Manager’s Office
Andrew.Squire@tucsonaz.gov
(520) 306-0080
CITY OF TUCSON ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO ADVANCE CENTRAL WELL FIELD GROUNDWATER CLEANUP
TUCSON, AZ — The City of Tucson and Warbird National are working together to develop a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a proposed beneficial-use project that would accelerate the cleanup of PFAS-impacted groundwater associated with the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. This MOU would be brought to the Mayor and Council for discussion and direction at an upcoming Mayor and Council meeting.
PFAS contamination originating from historic operations at Davis-Monthan is affecting Tucson’s Central Well Field, causing Tucson Water to remove numerous wells from production until a robust groundwater cleanup system is installed by the responsible parties. Through this proposed beneficial-use project, a public-private partnership, a PFAS remediation system would be installed several years faster than what is currently under evaluation by the U.S. Air Force, while supporting the creation of a national military veterans golf, aviation, and education destination.
The proposed partnership would leverage philanthropic funding alongside Federal funding to treat PFAS-impacted groundwater produced through a federally supported cleanup effort. The treated water would then be delivered through Tucson Water’s existing reclaimed water system to meet the project’s irrigation needs. Establishing a new beneficial use for the treated water is a necessary condition to advance groundwater cleanup efforts, while protecting Tucson’s water resources. The project would not draw from the City of Tucson’s water supplies. The source water is PFAS-contaminated groundwater associated with the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, which creates a Federal responsibility to restore the aquifer.
“Keeping Tucson’s water supply safe and secure remains one of my top priorities,” said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. “We have taken significant steps to prevent PFAS in our city’s drinking water system, and to address PFAS contamination in our local groundwater. This public-private partnership has the potential to allow us to cleanup a PFAS plume and keep our aquifer safe."
“Protecting and restoring water quality in Arizona’s aquifers is a primary mandate of this agency,” said Karen Peters, Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). “Taking action to resolve PFAS contamination affecting Tucson’s Central Well Field is imperative. My team and I have conducted an initial review of this potential project, and look forward to exploring it further as an opportunity to expedite PFAS remediation in central Tucson groundwater.”
“This partnership presents an opportunity to move groundwater cleanup forward while putting treated water to productive use,” said Tucson Water Director John Kmiec. “It supports an innovative public amenity without reducing the water available to Tucson customers.”
Warbird National’s proposed development would include a championship golf course, outdoor aviation exhibits, public amenities, and the Center for Learning and Winning, which would provide STEM education for young people and programming for veterans and the military community.
“It is great to see the City of Tucson move forward towards a public-private partnership with the Warbird National & CLAW Foundation. This agreement, focusing on the cleanup of PFAS and the beneficial use of the treated water, is just the first of many positive outcomes possible with this collaboration,” stated Retired Major General Ted Maxwell, President & CEO of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council. “Warbird National and the CLAW will not just have environmental benefit but also significant community and economic impacts to our region.”
City Manager Tim Thomure stated: “Our city takes water security very seriously. It is not simply a matter of having enough water, we need to assure that our customers receive safe water at their taps and that our groundwater reserves are protected from contamination threats, like PFAS. This project would protect our long-term water future, while assuring that Tucson Water ratepayers are not footing the bill.”
“Our community has lived with the impacts of groundwater contamination for a long time, and people want to see something done about it,” said Roberto “Bobby” Jaramillo, a retired military veteran and member of the Citizens Water Advisory Council and Unified Community Advisory Board. “As a veteran, I’m glad to see the military stepping up and taking responsibility for its part in the cleanup. If we can clean up this groundwater, put that water to good use, and do it without putting the cost on Tucson Water customers, I think that’s a good thing for our community.”
The proposed MOU remains subject to technical evaluation, regulatory and environmental review, required agreements, and government approvals, including the Mayor and Council of the City of Tucson.
The City of Tucson and its partners will provide additional information as planning progresses.
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