Sinema, Kelly Announce Over $4.3 Million Investment in the City of Safford & La Paz County to Upgrade Water Infrastructure from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Oct 10, 2023

Bipartisan infrastructure law led by Sinema and shaped by Kelly provides $2,758,697 to the City of Safford to guarantee access to clean, reliable drinking water for 10,000 Arizonans

Law also invests $1,626,780 for the Bouse Domestic Water Improvement District in La Paz County

WASHINGTON – A total of $4,385,477 will be invested in upgrading critical water infrastructure in the City of Safford and La Paz County from the bipartisan infrastructure law led by Senator Kyrsten Sinema and shaped by Senator Mark Kelly.

The City of Safford will receive $2,758,697 to make key improvements to the city’s water distribution system that will guarantee 10,000 Arizonans’ access to clean, reliable drinking water.

La Paz County’s Bouse Domestic Water Improvement District will receive $1,626,780 to make critical water infrastructure upgrades that meet the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality standards.

“All Arizonans deserve access to a clean, safe, and reliable water supply. The investments we secured for Safford and La Paz County are a major step towards a cleaner, stronger water future for families and businesses,” said Sinema, co-author and lead negotiator of the bipartisan infrastructure law.

“Every Arizona community needs a reliable and safe drinking water supply to thrive. Thanks to our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the City of Safford and the Bouse Water District will receive the resources necessary to secure their water future,” said Kelly.

The $2,758,697 ​​for Safford will be used to install water lines to provide service to underserved residential areas, connecting residents to waterlines that will guarantee access to clean, reliable drinking water for roughly 10,000 Arizonans. 

The $1,626,780 for Bouse Domestic Water Improvement District will be used to bring the current water system up to meet Arizona Department of Environmental Quality standards for reliable water. The undersized water lines will be replaced and upgraded, a water treatment system will be installed for arsenic removal, an operations building added, both a new well and a 70,000 gallon water storage tank will be developed, and other necessary additions to bring the aged system up to modern standards.

Sinema and Kelly’s bipartisan infrastructure law makes the strongest investment in clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in U.S. history, delivering clean water to millions of American families – and more than $8 billion to strengthen water infrastructure throughout the American West, such as aging infrastructure, water storage, water recycling, drought contingency plans and dam safety. This funding specifically includes $300 million over the next five years for water reclamation operations under the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan. 

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.