Clean water access expands for western tribal communities with new federal funding
(UI) — The Department of the Interior announced an $82 million investment to improve access to clean drinking water for Tribal communities across the western United States.
This funding, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, supports 23 projects aimed at enhancing water infrastructure on Tribal lands. It is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, marking the largest climate investment in U.S. history.
Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation David Palumbo and Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Gary Gold made the announcement at the San Carlos Apache Tribe’s reservation in eastern Arizona, which will receive $7.3 million. These funds will help the Tribe plan, design, and secure approvals for new raw water delivery and domestic drinking water treatment facilities for the San Carlos Regional Water System. Many in the central reservation area lack access to safe, reliable drinking water, facing frequent water cutoffs and mechanical failures, especially during hot summer months.
“Investing in water infrastructure projects is crucial to ensuring the health, safety, and economic prosperity of Indigenous communities,” stated Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “This new program, funded by the President’s Investing in America agenda, will help us ensure all Tribal families and communities have access to the clean, safe drinking water they need to thrive.”
The Inflation Reduction Act allocates $550 million toward domestic water supply projects for disadvantaged communities. Of this, Reclamation made $320 million available through Fiscal Year 2031 to cover planning, design, and construction costs for domestic water projects in communities without reliable access to clean water. Reclamation has worked closely with Tribes in 17 western states to identify needs and facilitate access to these funds.
The funding also supports the Biden administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to direct 40% of the benefits from federal climate and clean energy programs to communities that have been historically marginalized and disproportionately affected by pollution.
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