WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03) announced $5.6 million in federal funding from the Department of Interior (DOI) and Bureau of Reclamation for Southern Arizona infrastructure repairs from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The investments, facilitated through the Bureau of Reclamation, include significant repairs on canal linings, dam spillways and water pipeline replacements. This comes as a smaller part of the Biden administration’s $240 million in investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to repair water infrastructure.
“As historic and prolonged drought hit the southwest, it’s critical that our aging water infrastructure is updated in a sustainable way,” said Rep. Grijalva. “Climate change is going to continue to impact water resources and our way of life so we must prepare, conserve and adapt. I’m proud to have helped secure this federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will continue to advocate for projects that will create jobs, address climate change and ensure drought resiliency.”
- $250,000
- Flume Replacements
- This project will fund all or part of the replacement of several flumes within our water distribution system. A number of flumes of significant age within our system have been identified as requiring replacement as a result of many years of repairs and ongoing deterioration. Deterioration is observed not only in the conveyance pipe itself, but also of the concrete pilings and abutments which provide support to these features. The failure of any of these flumes would result in very significant system outages affecting all of our downstream shareholders. Funding is provided for implementation.
- $772,123
- Gila Diversion Motor and Gearbox Replacement Project
- Gila Diversion Motor and Gearbox Replacement Project is an Imperial Dam project that will rectify aging Category 2 RO&M recommendation at the dam, increase efficiency of dam function, and reducing maintenance of aging infrastructure. Funding is provided for implementation.
- $887,360
- Gila Gravity (GG) Wasteway #1
- This project is on the Gila Gravity Main Canal (GGMC) which delivers Colorado River water to the greater Yuma area. It is an outstanding and aged recommendation and the wasteway is in very bad condition. Multiple parties contribute to the GGMC maintenance, several of which are small and underfunded. BIL funding would expedite the completion of this project. Funding is provided for implementation.
- $50,000
- Gila Gravity Main Canal (GGMC) Repairs Sloughing
- Gila Gravity Main Canal (GGMC) Repairs Sloughing has been an ongoing issue on the GGMC for over a decade. The O&M road is a the main access to the widely used Mittry Lake area so the traffic on this road far exceeds what was expected in the design of the facility nearly 100 years ago. This project would help make needed repairs which would provide safety by stabilizing sloughing and protecting the O&M road. Funding is provided for implementation.
- $2,262,497
- Rebuild One Gila Diversion Gate Pair Project
- Rebuild One Gila Diversion Gate Pair Project is an Imperial Dam project with minimal design requirements, minimal permitting requirements, and facilitates Colorado River water delivery to southern Arizona. Funding is provided for implementation.
- $1,044,230
- Repair Imbeds on Gila Diversion Gate Project
- Repair Imbeds on Gila Diversion Gate Project is an Imperial Dam project with minimal design requirements, minimal permitting requirements, and is operated to facilitate Colorado River water delivery to southern AZ. Funding is provided for implementation.
- $333,000
- Replace Manual Radial Gate Controls Throughout the Yuma Mesa Project within YMIDD with Radio Controlled Actuators
- Allowing for Gates to be Controlled From the District Headquarters YMIDD serves the larger Yuma mesa area as well as wheels deliveries to a second water district, Unit B. Though Unit B is small, both YMIDD and Unit B have a large amount of water ordered but not diverted (WOND), in part from their system being manually operated. This project would modernize the system, allowing for greater operational efficiencies that could significantly reduce WOND in these two districts. Funding is provided for implementation.
- $100,000
- West Main Canal Heading Study/Replacement
- The West Main Canal Heading is centrally located in Yuma, Arizona, up against two major roads, a bike path, and low income residential areas. Due to the age of the system and fluctuations in flow, the feature has experienced significant backing up near to overtopping in recent years. A study is being proposed to evaluate the structure, identify required maintenance, and replace or rehabilitate the project to meet treaty requirements and protect the public in this urban area. Funding is provided for implementation.
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