Published on June 11, 2024
Water is a vital lifeline in Arizona, essential for both residents and businesses. As we strive for a sustainable future, the City of Maricopa is taking proactive steps, working with state and federal leaders, to secure our water resources and ensure a thriving and durable community for generations to come. This week, Maricopa Mayor Nancy Smith and City Manager Benjamin Bitter joined Congressman Greg Stanton and Army Corps of Engineers Colonel Andrew Baker, to sign a Project Partnership Agreement. The agreement allocates $6.5 Million for an aquifer recharge project within the City of Maricopa and in connection with Global Water. “The agreement will allow the City to quickly contract and construct this critical infrastructure project,” shared Mayor Smith. “The City of Maricopa is the fifth fastest-growing city in the nation. As such, new and improving infrastructure is key to building out our city and ensuring we will have valuable water resources for many years to come.” An aquifer is a layer of sediment or rock that is saturated with water. This is a naturally occurring phenomena that builds up a repository of water over time through rainfall. Changes to the landscape can restrict how quickly these aquifers recharge or retain water. That is where this project comes in. With the help of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and in conjunction with Global Water, Maricopa’s aquifers will be replenished with treated water, thereby making water available in the future. These innovative strategies will help make life in the desert more sustainable, and better equip our community with the infrastructure it needs to support smart growth. “Global Water has a robust designation of assured water supply, but we must plan for the future,” says Jon Corwin, Vice President and General Manager of Global Water. “The aquifer recharge project is the next step is total water management and this project will allow the storage of additional water for future use and promote continued prosperity for the City of Maricopa.” The funding for the project was made possible by theWater Resources Development Act of 2022, with section 595 authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide design and construction assistance for water supply, wastewater treatment, environmental restoration, and surface water protection in rural communities.$19 million was allocated to projects in Arizona, with 35% of that earmarked for Maricopa. “This means federal tax dollars our residents paid are coming back to Maricopa,” Mayor Smith said. “In addition, by bringing in federal support for projects like this shows we are taking action to minimize the need for residents to foot the bill as our city grows.”