Sinema-Backed Bill Supports Safer Water Systems for Tribal Communities in Arizona

Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema cosponsored the bipartisan Indian Health Service Sanitation Facilities Construction Enhancement Act—legislation increasing funding for the Indian Health Service Sanitation Facilities Construction Program to construct and improve multiple critical water and sanitation projects across Tribal communities in Arizona.

“The coronavirus pandemic showed the continued need for safe running water and adequate sanitation infrastructure in Tribal communities. Our bipartisan legislation ensures needed funding to increase access to reliable water systems for Tribal communities across our state,” said Sinema.  

“I commend Senators Sinema and Lujan for this legislation which provides infrastructure funding for water, wastewater and sewer projects in tribal communities.  The pandemic has highlighted the infrastructure needs across Indian Country and sustained, long-term investments are needed to address the infrastructure gaps between Indian Country and the rest of the United States,” said Governor Stephen Roe Lewis, Gila River Indian Community.

The bipartisan Indian Health Service Sanitation Facilities Construction Enhancement Act increases funding for the Indian Health Service Sanitation Facilities Construction Program by $3 billion for the planning, design, construction, modernization, improvement, and renovation of water, sewer, and solid waste sanitation facilities in Tribal communities.

Sinema recently introduced bipartisan legislation that invests $1.3 billion in strengthening the Sanitation Facilities Construction Program to support water and sanitation projects for tribal communities. Sinema also recently secured $250 million for the Tribal Drinking Water Program in the bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act recently signed into law.