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Tucson approves water-conservation agreements and advanced-water-purification project funding
Summary
Mayor and Council approved two System Conservation Implementation Agreements with the Bureau of Reclamation and advanced plans for a direct potable reuse demonstration facility as part of Lower Colorado River Basin conservation efforts.
The Tucson Mayor and Council approved two system conservation implementation agreements (SCIAs) with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation during the Jan. 7 meeting, clearing the way for conservation exchanges and development of an advanced water purification demonstration facility.
The agreements, described by staff as amendments and new SCIAs, were discussed in an earlier executive session and then brought to the public agenda. Vice Mayor Dahl said the measures expand Tucson’s options for using conserved Central Arizona Project allotments and emphasized water conservation as critical to regional resilience.
The agreements are identified in the meeting record as (1) amendment number 1 to SCIA number 23-xx-30-WO0756 and (2) SCIA number 24xx30W083 (the transcript used inconsistent formatting for the second identifier). The items were pulled from the consent agenda for briefing and discussion before the council voted to approve them.
Councilmember Cunningham noted financial and capital provisions explained during staff remarks: he said the package includes $20,000,000 to the city and roughly $86,700,000 for capital improvements to build an advanced water purification facility with a design capacity of about 2,500,000 gallons per day. He described those amounts as part of the federal Bureau of Reclamation funding and infrastructure arrangements enabled by the 2022 bipartisan infrastructure law. “This also means $20,000,000 paid to the city of Tucson to return water to Lake Mead, and another $86,700,000 in capital improvements to construct a 2,500,000 gallons per day advanced water purification facility,” Cunningham said during discussion.
The council approved the item on roll-call vote. The motion and second were made from the dais; the recorded vote was unanimous with all members present voting yes.
Why this matters: the agreements enable Tucson to participate in Lower Colorado River Basin conservation and to pursue a direct potable reuse demonstration project (branded in staff discussion as an advanced purification/Arizona Pure Water approach). City staff and several councilmembers described the action as a resiliency measure that uses conservation, treatment and infrastructure investment to secure long-term water supplies for the community.
The council discussion noted compliance with Arizona open-meeting and executive-session law for the prior closed discussion; staff earlier cited A.R.S. §38-431.03 when explaining the executive session basis. Vice Mayor Dahl and the mayor praised city water conservation history and staff for negotiating the agreements.
The vote: the council passed the agreements by unanimous roll call (7–0). Staff said federal and state approvals and capital planning follow as next steps; construction and operational timing were not finalized at the meeting and will require further design and permitting.
