Gallego, O’Halleran Lead Arizona Delegation in Letter Requesting EPA Fund Alternative Technologies to Secure Drinking Water
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) and Rep. Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) today led a letter with members of the Arizona congressional delegation requesting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) utilize alternative water sources such as distributed drinking water technologies to increase access to drinking water in traditionally underserved communities.
The letter states: Since 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”) has protected the health and safety of many Americans through the funding and regulation of public water systems. However, over eight million Americans still lack access to safe drinking water today. As we continue to pass legislation to benefit the American people, we must use every tool at our disposal to ensure that all Americans, including those in the most vulnerable and water stressed communities, can turn on a tap in their home and drink safe water.
The delegation cites Arizona’s continued experience with water contamination, specifically recent analyses that highlight Native communities in Arizona experience a disproportionate impact of water access issues.
The letter continues: “To fulfill the promise of the SDWA, flexibility and consideration of new solutions like these will ultimately protect the health of more Americans and finally fulfill our obligation to provide clean, reliable, and affordable drinking water. It is our understanding that EPA has enough flexibility within existing programs and the aforementioned proposed programs to utilize distributed drinking water technologies. We respectfully request your assistance in ensuring that the deployment of distributed water solutions are eligible under these programs, in order to close the equity gap for rural communities, Native American communities, and communities of color.”
Distributed water technologies can allow water-challenged communities to access drinking water in a cheaper and quicker way than using traditional service line projects. The technologies, which include distributed water and atmospheric water harvesting, have been proven to be successful. For example, Navajo Nation successfully provided clean drinking water to over 500 remote homes through the use of atmospheric water harvesting technology. The delegation requests EPA allow similarly situated communities across Arizona to pursue this technology.
Members of the Arizona congressional delegation signed on to the letter include Sen. Mark Kelly, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, Rep. Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03), Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), and Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-09).