Title
Apply for Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART: Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects Grant (Ordinance S-52841) - District 7
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, accept, and, if awarded, enter into an agreement for disbursement of federal funding from the Bureau of Reclamation through the WaterSMART: Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects grant opportunity. If awarded, the funding will support the pilot Advanced Water Purification (AWP) facility at the 91st Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant. Further request to authorize the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item. Funding for this grant opportunity is available through the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The total grant request will not exceed $6 million, with a local match not to exceed $24 million.
Report
Summary
The Water Services Department (WSD) will submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, for a WaterSMART: Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects grant opportunity to support a water reuse project at the 91st Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant. If awarded, WSD would utilize the funds to construct a pilot Advanced Water Purification (AWP) facility and conduct related studies in preparation for a full-scale facility. The full-scale facility would provide Advanced Purified Water to customers in the City of Phoenix and project partners including the cities of Glendale and Mesa and EPCOR Water Arizona, Inc.
AWP represents a key future drinking water source for the greater Phoenix region. Grant funding will allow WSD to advance the program and build infrastructure that supports a reliable and sustainable new water supply for residents and businesses.
This grant opportunity is available to Western U.S. agencies for planning and/or implementing projects that increase water supply reliability. The application deadline is May 13, 2026.
Financial Impact
The estimated total cost of the project is approximately $30 million. If awarded, the federal share would not exceed $6 million (20 percent), with the City providing the remaining $24 million (80 percent) as the local match.
Location
91st Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Ginger Spencer and the Water Services Department.