The Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) is issuing $9.8 million in grants to help irrigation districts in Arizona upgrade their aging infrastructure, leading to significant water savings.
Projects receiving funding include canal lining, automated control systems, spill water capture, and reservoir construction.
- Canal lining: Reduces seepage losses by up to 30%, exemplified by the San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District project.
- Automated control systems: Improve efficiency and reduce spills, as seen in the Roosevelt Irrigation District's project.
- Spill water capture: Utilizes excess water from rivers, showcased by the Roosevelt Irrigation District capturing 2,500 acre-feet annually.
- Mid-system and end-of-system reservoirs: Enhance flexibility and reduce reliance on groundwater pumping, demonstrated by the Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District's projects.
- Solar panels and hydro-turbines: Generate renewable energy while conserving water, as the Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District is implementing.
The estimated water savings from these grants ranges from 3,109 to 24,974 acre-feet annually, with agricultural upgrades offering the highest return on investment.
Accurately measuring water savings and ensuring reduced deliveries actually translate to conservation will be an ongoing challenge. Continued monitoring and analysis are needed to assess the long-term impact of these infrastructure upgrades. Independent project review could inform future policy decisions and maximize water conservation efforts.
