Bipartisan infrastructure law led by Sinema and shaped by Kelly helps provide funding to ensure clean, safe water for communities in Southern Arizona
WASHINGTON – $33,520,000 will be invested in a new, Tucson-based drinking water treatment facility to address the PFAS contamination issue and ensure a clean water supply with funding made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law led by Senator Kyrsten Sinema and shaped by Senator Mark Kelly.
“In my negotiations of the bipartisan infrastructure law, I ensured we included investments addressing PFAS contamination in Tucson and across Arizona. I’m proud to deliver historic resources cleaning up Arizona’s water and removing these dangerous chemicals to protect the health of Arizonans,” said Senator Sinema, co-author and lead negotiator of the bipartisan infrastructure law.
“Combatting PFAS contamination is critical to protecting southern Arizona’s water supply,” said Senator Kelly. “This important investment will protect public health and help secure Tucson’s water future.”
“I am grateful to Senators Sinema and Kelly for their leadership that provided historic levels of funding for PFAS remediation in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It is encouraging how much our Congressional Delegation has prioritized Tucson’s PFAS needs. To thrive, Tucson needs access to clean, safe, accessible water. The funding for critical projects such as TARP are securing our water supply, supporting our economy and protecting public health” said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero.
“Today’s celebration of the innovative PFAS remediation project in the City of Tucson would not have been possible without Senators Sinema and Kelly’s dedication to bringing water infrastructure resources to Arizona. Thanks to funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, WIFA was able to provide more than $30 million in subsidized assistance to help alleviate the cost burden of this project for Tucson’s residents. We appreciate the Senators’ tireless advocacy to bring clean, abundant water to communities across Arizona,” said Sue Montgomery, Treasurer of the WIFA Board of Directors.
“We are well aware here in Southern Arizona of the danger of PFAS contamination,” said Pima County Board of Supervisors Chair Adelita Grijalva.“These chemicals pose extreme risks to the health of people, animals, and the environment. I applaud Senators Sinema and Kelly on securing this vital funding to ensure a clean, safe water supply for all of Southern Arizona.”
PFAS – also known as “forever chemicals” – are dangerous pollutants contaminating drinking water sources. Studies have shown that PFAS exposure can negatively affect the growth and learning of infants, increase the risk of cancer, and harm the immune system, among other adverse health effects. Thanks to funding made possible by Sinema and Kelly’s bipartisan infrastructure law, the City of Tucson will construct a drinking water treatment facility to address the water system’s PFAS contamination issue.
Sinema and Kelly’s bipartisan infrastructure law makes a historic $10 billion investment to address forever chemicals contamination. In this case, the bipartisan infrastructure law provides and enables funding by underwriting the investment and making the cost of capital on the project much cheaper.
Sinema led bipartisan Senate negotiations with Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio that included Senator Kelly and senators from both parties.
The bipartisan infrastructure law was supported by groups including The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, The National Association of Manufacturers, The AFL-CIO, The National Retail Federation, The Bipartisan Policy Center, North America’s Building Trades Unions, the Outdoor Industry Association, The American Hotel and Lodging Association, The National Education Association, as well as hundreds of mayors across all 50 states.