Following Gov. Doug Ducey’s signature on the fiscal 2018 budget, the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) said that state leaders have strong support for continued water resource management and growth.

Lawmakers prioritized the department’s needs despite a period of low financial resources. Ducey said “if there’s one thing Arizona is best in the nation at – it’s water" when he gave approval for the department to investigate further long-term water sources, conservation options and anticipated infrastructure needs, according to a press release.

With the Ducey’s approval of the $15.9 million budget, ADWR has moved forward with work on the Colorado River system. This includes an allotment of $2 million annually for the next three years to conserve water in Lake Mead to stabilize the nation’s largest reservoir, the release said. Lake Mead provides water to nearly 20 million people and large areas of farmland in Arizona, California and Nevada.

Another $200,000 will support an audit of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District, while $250,000 will finance watershed management and riverside restoration work. Finally, the fiscal 2018 budget provides funding for 10 full-time positions or the equivalent for ADWR.