In an effort to address the ever-intensifying drought conditions in the Southwest, Senators Mark Kelly, Ruben Gallego, and Alex Padilla have put forth the Water Security and Drought Resilience Act. This legislation is designed to enhance our nation's drought preparedness by expanding the range of projects eligible for federal funding under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), as reported by Kelly's official Senate website.
"As Arizona faces a historic drought, we can’t afford to miss chances to manage our water carefully and responsibly," Kelly was quoted on his Senate page. Gallego spoke to the vital importance of water in Arizona, emphasizing the need for infrastructure that can "withstand droughts and make sure communities across our state have reliable access to water." The bill specifically aims to boost the resilience of cities in the Valley and beyond, providing more security for families and businesses that depend heavily on the state's water systems.
California Senator Padilla stressed the urgency of investing in resilient water infrastructure in the face of escalating climate challenges. He told his Senate page, “Californians are all too familiar with devastating long-term droughts, and as the climate crisis worsens, we must make investments in resilient water infrastructure now to protect our communities from the next mega drought.” Padilla also underscored the bill's focus on reauthorizing the small storage program and the introduction of natural infrastructure projects, aligning with strategies for groundwater storage and natural hydrologic processes.
Core provisions of the Water Security and Drought Resilience Act include reauthorizing and expanding the IIJA’s Small Storage Program to increase surface water or groundwater storage and the creation of a grant program for natural water retention and release projects. These projects would aim to enhance water availability through mechanisms such as aquifer recharge and floodplain retention, as stated on Kelly's Senate website. These initiatives mark a significant step towards bolstering the region's ability to store, move, and use water more efficiently—a critical element for the future of Arizona and drought-stricken states in the Southwest.
