Congressman Juan Ciscomani of Arizona and Congresswoman Susie Lee of Nevada have introduced the bipartisan Large-Scale Water Recycling Reauthorization Act. The legislation aims to extend a federal grant program supporting large-scale water recycling projects in the Colorado River Basin and across the western United States.
“Water is the lifeblood of Arizona,” said Congressman Juan Ciscomani. “As we face worsening drought in Arizona, I am proud to co-lead this critical legislation which will help Western communities, like Southern Arizona, bolster their conservation efforts through water recycling efforts.”
Congresswoman Susie Lee added, “We need to save every drop of water we can to combat the ongoing, drought-driven water crisis in Nevada and throughout the West. Large-scale water recycling works. That’s exactly why we need to reauthorize the Large-Scale Water Recycling Program as soon as possible. This critical program was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that I helped get across the finish line. I look forward to seeing it reauthorized for another five years to continue delivering the water resources our communities need for our shared future.”
Arizona has become a national leader in water recycling by reusing more than half of its treated municipal wastewater, significantly ahead of other states within the Colorado River Basin. Continued federal support is seen as necessary for maintaining and growing these initiatives.
Bruno Pigott, Executive Director of the WateReuse Association, stated: “The Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects Competitive Grants Program helps communities, states, and whole regions build long-term, reliable water supplies to enable population growth, support economic expansion, and protect the environment and public health. WateReuse applauds Representatives Lee and Ciscomani for their leadership in ensuring that this critical program continues into the future.”
John Entsminger, General Manager of Southern Nevada Water Authority said: “This federal funding remains critical to helping accelerate the development of recycled water systems on a scale that would not otherwise be possible. This is a smart investment that improves water supply reliability for millions of Americans, while helping communities build resiliency and respond to drought conditions.”
Deven Upadhyay from Metropolitan Water District of Southern California commented: “We are all looking towards ways to reduce our reliance on the Colorado River and Reclamation’s Large-Scale Water Recycling Grant Program helps fund projects that do just that. Large-scale facilities currently in the works will be an essential tool for a sustainable water future in the Western U.S. and the federal funding received is essential and matched 3:1 by local funding. Metropolitan appreciates Reps. Lee and Ciscomani for introducing this bill to help advance these projects.”
Juan Ciscomani is currently serving as U.S. Representative for Arizona’s 6th district after replacing Ann Kirkpatrick in 2023.
In recent elections, Ciscomani won against Kirsten Engel twice: once in 2022 with just over half of votes cast (50.7% versus Engel’s 49.2%), then again in 2024 with a similar margin (50% compared with Engel’s 47.5%).
