- Phoenix, Arizona to receive $179 million for advanced water purification.
- Utah awarded $20.6 million for regional reuse system.
- Projects aim to treat wastewater and bolster water reliability.
- An additional $130 million in funding will soon be available.
Friday, July 18, 2025 — On Wednesday, the Bureau of Reclamation announced nearly $200 million in new investments for large-scale water reuse projects in Arizona and Utah
. The funding is part of ongoing federal efforts to strengthen long-term water sustainability across the Colorado River Basin, which remains under pressure from chronic drought and growing demand.
The centerpiece of this investment is a $179 million agreement with the City of Phoenix to develop its North Gateway Advanced Water Purification Facility. Once constructed, Phase 1 of the facility will treat 8 million gallons per day of wastewater, creating more than 7,500 acre-feet of purified water annually for direct reuse. The infrastructure will support a more reliable and drought-resistant supply for municipal and industrial needs.
“Increased water recycling, reuse and conservation is necessary to address long-term drought in the Colorado River Basin,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Scott Cameron. He praised Phoenix’s leadership and noted the importance of Arizona’s recent passage of legislation encouraging the transition of water from agricultural to urban use.
In Utah, the Washington County Water Conservancy District will receive $20.6 million to expand its regional reuse system in the southwestern part of the state. The project will create a local source of treated water that can be reused to support regional growth and withstand dry conditions. This funding comes from the Bureau’s Large-Scale Water Recycling Program.
“These projects, which incentivize conservation at a larger scale, are more important than ever given the ongoing and persistent drought in the Colorado River Basin,” said Acting Commissioner David Palumbo. He emphasized that recycling previously unusable sources of water helps build community resilience.
The Bureau of Reclamation also announced that an additional $130 million in federal funding will be made available soon for similar large-scale recycling projects.
Together, these initiatives reflect the Department of the Interior’s ongoing commitment to bolstering water security in the Colorado River Basin. The basin supplies water to over 40 million people, supports 5.5 million acres of farmland, serves 30 Tribal Nations, and delivers water to Mexico under international treaty obligations.
Conservation/ reclamation attempts are yo be lauded. However we would be wise to exercise caution before embracing anything emerging from THIS federal administration. I might be overly suspicious but this raises concerns about a rogue government’s total control of water resources. We need to always ask about potential hidden agendae and grasping of authoritarians.