Mayor and council approve agreements tied to Colorado River conservation and an advanced water‑purification demonstration project

Mayor and council held an executive session on two system conservation implementation agreements (SCIAs) with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and later considered the related items on the regular agenda. The items were pulled from the consent agenda for discussion and then approved.

Vice Mayor Dahl, who moved the item, emphasized the role of local water conservation in enabling these agreements: “Desert cities need water from every single source,” she said, and noted that Tucson’s conservation posture made the city able to participate in trades and projects. Council and staff described the agreements as tied to the Lower Colorado River Basin Conservation and Efficiency Program and to a demonstration advanced water purification direct potable reuse facility.

Councilmember Cunningham summarized financial terms discussed during the meeting: he said the deal included about $20,000,000 paid to the city and roughly $86,700,000 in capital improvements to construct a 2,500,000‑gallons‑per‑day advanced water purification facility near Ina Road. Cunningham also framed the agreements as part of broader efforts under the 2022 bipartisan infrastructure law and Bureau of Reclamation programs to mitigate drought effects and build supply resiliency.

The mayor and council voted to approve the agreements. Staff indicated the agreements will fund capital work to design and construct the demonstration advanced purification facility and support system conservation that returns water into the system or otherwise mitigates basin shortages.

Ending: Mayor and council described the approvals as advancing Tucson Water’s long‑term resilience and commended staff on securing federal funding and agreements that will support water reuse infrastructure and conservation programs.