- WIFA moved four large water import proposals into the study phase.
- Two project teams will now evaluate desalination, reuse, and storage concepts.
- Studies will examine engineering, costs, permitting, and community impacts.
- Public engagement will expand in early spring 2026.
December 3, 2025 — On November 19, 2025, the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona
advanced four large water importation proposals into a new study phase intended to determine whether any of the concepts can deliver new, reliable supplies for the state. The action follows months of review under the Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund program, which was established to explore additional water sources for Arizona.
Seventeen teams originally submitted qualifications to develop new water supplies. Six formal proposals were ultimately accepted for review, and four have now been selected for detailed study. The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority will contract with the project teams to evaluate engineering options, regulatory requirements, environmental and cultural considerations, financial approaches, and community impacts.
Jonathan Lines, Chairman of the Board, called the vote “a pivotal milestone,” adding that ideas, engineering, and public input will play central roles as the projects are evaluated.
Selected Water Importation Proposals.
Two development teams were chosen to advance their concepts. Acciona-Fengate Water Augmentation Alliance will study one importation concept, while EPCOR Water Innovation Partners will analyze three additional proposals:
Acciona-Fengate Water Augmentation Alliance:
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Gulf of California Desalination and Binational Conveyance — This concept proposes a desalination plant located in Mexico and new conveyance infrastructure to move treated water across the border. The desalinated supply would be exchanged for a portion of Mexico’s Colorado River allocation.
EPCOR Water Innovation Partners:
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Northern Gulf of California Desalination Facility — This proposal includes a new desalination plant in Baja California and a pipeline to deliver water north for use in Mexico. Arizona’s participation would support the facility and pipeline. Water would be exchanged for a portion of Mexico’s Colorado River allocation.
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South Bay Potable Water Reuse — This concept would develop a new potable reuse facility near an existing treatment plant in California, producing water for use in Mexico. Arizona’s investment would support the construction of the facility. The reclaimed supply would be exchanged for a portion of Mexico’s Colorado River allocation.
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California Groundwater Storage and Recovery — This project would develop new aquifer storage and recovery capacity to capture excess runoff in California. The water stored through the program would be exchanged for a portion of California’s Colorado River allocation.
These proposals are independent of several parallel concepts listed on the Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund website, which remain available for future consideration.
What the Study Phase Will Evaluate.
The next stage is described as Phase 2 of the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority’s project development process. Each selected team will work under a series of task orders to evaluate key components of their proposals, including:
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Technical and engineering feasibility.
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Environmental and cultural impacts.
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Regulatory and permitting requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
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Financial considerations.
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Community impacts across both sides of the border.
The parallel evaluation process allows the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority to compare diverse ideas simultaneously, rather than advancing a single project before others are fully understood.
Ted Cooke, Chairman of the Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund Committee, stated that Arizona’s history of water conservation continues with the decision to advance “bold ideas for bringing new resilient water to the state.”
Stakeholder and Public Engagement.
The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority has stated that stakeholder engagement will be a significant component of the study phase. The agency plans to collaborate with:
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Government entities that influence or are affected by the concepts.
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Water providers and potential water purchasers.
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Tribal governments.
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Communities located near project areas.
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Public participants offering comments and feedback.
The Authority intends to establish advisory groups, steering committees, and public engagement events. More extensive engagement is expected to begin in early spring 2026 once contracts for the study phase are awarded.
A Long-Term Effort to Add Water Supply.
The water importation studies will help the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority determine whether any of the proposals can be developed into major new water sources for Arizona. The concepts include desalination, reclaimed water reuse, and large-scale groundwater storage. Each option is intended to reduce pressure on existing Colorado River supplies, either by generating new water or by enabling exchanges with other jurisdictions.
The agency notes that the studies represent one part of a broader statewide strategy that also includes conservation, reuse, and infrastructure investment. The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority has invested nearly $3 billion in water infrastructure projects over the last three decades.
FAQ
What is the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona?
It is a state agency that finances water projects, administers federal revolving funds, and manages new legislative programs designed to support conservation, reuse, and water augmentation across the state.
Why were these four projects selected?
They were chosen from six formal proposals after evaluation of their qualifications, potential feasibility, and alignment with the Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund. The study phase will help determine whether any of the concepts are viable.
Is desalination the only focus?
No. The selected proposals include desalination, potable reuse, and groundwater storage, each tied to potential exchanges of Colorado River water.
When will the public be able to participate?
More extensive public engagement is expected to begin in early spring 2026, following the award of study contracts. Public comment opportunities will be part of the process.
Does this mean a final project has been chosen?
No. The November 19 vote advances the proposals into a research phase. Decisions about whether to proceed with construction will come later, after full analysis and public input.
