by Cameron Arcand
Funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will be used to for water cleaning resources by developing a new treatment center in Tucson.
Specifically, the facility would focus on PFAS chemicals, which the United States Environmental Protection Agency describes as “widely used” and “long-lasting,” but could also have negative health consequences when they make their way into water and other consumables. Out of $10 billion targeted toward getting chemicals out of water in the act, $33,520,000 is Tucson bound, according to a news release.
“In my negotiations of the bipartisan infrastructure law, I ensured we included investments addressing PFAS contamination in Tucson and across Arizona. I’m proud to deliver historic resources cleaning up Arizona’s water and removing these dangerous chemicals to protect the health of Arizonans,” Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema said in a statement last Friday.
Taxpayer dollars on the federal level continues to play a major role in the state’s water policy. A few weeks ago, Sinema and Sen. Mark Kelly praised the allocation of $33.4 million toward tribal water projects, including $9 million toward Southern Arizona Water Rights Settlement – Farm Extension, The Center Square reported.
“Today’s celebration of the innovative PFAS remediation project in the City of Tucson would not have been possible without Senators Sinema and Kelly’s dedication to bringing water infrastructure resources to Arizona. Thanks to funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, WIFA was able to provide more than $30 million in subsidized assistance to help alleviate the cost burden of this project for Tucson’s residents. We appreciate the Senators’ tireless advocacy to bring clean, abundant water to communities across Arizona,” Sue Montgomery, Treasurer of the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority Board of Directors said in the news release.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero praised the allocation and said that it would benefit the city, which has over 540,000 residents.
“To thrive, Tucson needs access to clean, safe, accessible water. The funding for critical projects such as TARP are securing our water supply, supporting our economy and protecting public health,” Romero said.
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Cameron Arcand is a staff reporter at The Center Square.
Image “Tucson Water Treatment” by Tucson Water.
