Gov. Doug Ducey (R-AZ) has signed legislation to make an unprecedented $1 billion investment to “secure Arizona’s water future” by augmenting water supplies and guaranteeing water security to the state.
“Today, we are taking a bold step to do what the men and women of Arizona hired us to do — position our state for success today, tomorrow and for generations to come,” Ducey said, according to the Governor’s Office Website. “This legislation is crucial for our continued growth and prosperity. It will ensure Arizona remains a land of opportunity for families and for businesses large and small. As we’ve done over the past seven and a half years, we came together, brought everyone to the table and delivered for the people of this great state. And by doing so, we are leaving Arizona better and stronger than we found it.”
Ducey gave credit to Sen. Sine Kerr (R-Buckeye) and Rep. Gail Griffin (R-Hereford) for “sponsoring this legislation and consistently leading on Arizona’s most pressing issues." He also thanked Senate President Karen Fann (R-Chino Valley), House Speaker Rusty Bowers (R-Mesa), Sen. Rebecca Rios (D-Phoenix) and Rep. Reginald Bolding (D-Phoenix).
“It is because of all your efforts that this passed with overwhelming bipartisan support,” Ducey said, according to his website.
Bowers and Fann issued a joint statement about the new measure.
“As Arizona’s population grows, the competition for water is fierce," they said in their statement. “An enhanced water-securing body is just what Arizonans need. With this forward-thinking water plan, we’re adding new tools and resources to our toolbox to support our state’s explosive growth. Thank you to Gov. Ducey for his steadfast partnership in delivering for all Arizonans now and in the future.”
Though the state’s water usage has grown in recent years, there were other factors at play in securing the water bill.
“We’ve been wise in our water conservation, efficiency and reuse projects, but now we need to go a step further,” Fann said, according to Ducey's website. “Arizona’s economy is booming, and in order to sustain that growth, we need to look ahead. This water package does just that. My thanks to Gov. Ducey and Sen. Kerr for their important work and continued support on this vital issue.”
The bill will appropriate more than $1 billion to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) and allowing new responsibilities to give loans and grants to water providers to import water into Arizona, as well as improving conservation and efficiency efforts using new technology.
“Challenges bring opportunity,” Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke told the governor's website. “This expansion of WIFA creates an opportunity for the state to secure its water future. I want to thank Gov. Ducey, the Arizona Legislature and stakeholders for coming together to collaboratively come up with this important legislation.”
Kerr echoed his support for the legislation.
“Today we celebrate our action to address the water issues our great state faces,” Kerr said, according to Ducey's website. “All Arizonans now and in the future will benefit from this legislation. Thanks to Gov. Ducey’s leadership and bipartisan legislative support, we are setting in motion a strong pathway toward securing future water sources.”
Griffin expressed relief that both parties came together on the issue.
“This critical legislation just makes sense. It’s fair and forward-looking,” Griffin told the governor's website. “I’m glad we’ve come together to find a solution for our water future. Thank you to Gov. Ducey, Speaker Bowers and President Fann for this collaborative effort.”
Rios was also pleased with the bipartisan effort.
“Today is a significant day. Arizona will now build upon our strengths in water conservation and protect our future,” she said, according to Ducey's website. “This was a bipartisan effort, and I am grateful for the lawmakers who worked together to make it happen.”
Bolding said efficiency will be key to the state’s water future.
“Securing our state’s water future takes an all-hands-on-deck approach,” he said, according to the governor's website. “With conservation, augmentation and reuse, we can increase Arizona’s water supplies and help ensure Arizona meets our impressive growth. Thank you to Gov. Ducey, President Fann, Speaker Bowers and Leader Rios for their collaborative leadership.”
Arizona’s farmers may be most affected by the changes, which is why Arizona Farm Bureau President Stefanie Smallhouse said the measure was necessary.
“More than most, Arizona’s farmers and ranchers know the value of water," Smallhouse told Ducey's website. "Today, we are celebrating the passage of Senate Bill 1740 and the truly historic investment it represents in Arizona’s water future. This forward-thinking legislation will be counted among Arizona’s other great successes in water management, and the Arizona Farm Bureau is thankful to the governor, leadership and staff in the House and Senate, and all those who came together to make this bipartisan bill a reality.”
Ted Cooke, general manager of the Central Arizona Project, said the longest dry period on the Colorado River in more than 1,200 years “gave our state a troubling warning. Fortunately, the governor and Legislature took swift action to invest in and diversify our state’s water resources. The Central Arizona Project commends the governor and the Legislature for providing over $1 billion to help meet existing and future water needs. The new funds will develop or facilitate water conservation, reuse and augmentation. Coupled with the progress in implementing potable reuse, creating a statewide on-farm irrigation efficiency pilot program, as well as ensuring that CAWCD continues to have needed resources, this session made impressive progress In water resource development, which will have a lasting impact.”
Dave Roberts, associate general manager at the Salt River Project, gave credit to efforts such as the Central Arizona Project, as well as his own.
“Arizona has long been at the forefront of wise water management, as evidenced by decades of informed stewardship and major investments like the Central Arizona Project and Salt River Project,” Roberts said, according to the governor's website. “The passage of this law to promote water investment ushers Arizona into the next era of water infrastructure planning.”