The Town of Camp Verde was awarded a $2M grant for arsenic removal. Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema recently announced that they secured $125,887,493 in federal investments for projects in communities across Arizona supporting rural water projects, law enforcement, flood control efforts, transportation, and more. These investments, including the Town of Camp Verde’s $2M were passed as part of the annual federal government funding bill for FY24.
More specifically, the $2M will be used for the construction and installation of a 2,000gpm arsenic removal system at the existing Mongini well site located in the northwest part of town and a 50gpm system at the Verde River Estates tank site. The Mongini well site is a primary source of water for a majoirty of the Town’s municipal water customers. Water pumping at the Mongini Well site has increased significantly in the last several years due to growth demands on the system. The higher pumping rates associated with meeting the increased demands have resulted in increased levels of arsenic in the water. The new systems will alleviate any potential arsenic violation concerns at both sites. Since the Town purchased the water company in 2022, the Town has been investing in public water system upgrades to meet community needs and provide a safe water supply.
Like many rural Arizona communities, water and water infrastructure is important for quality of life and business development. This is why water infrastructure is a high-priority goal for the Town of Camp Verde over the next five years and beyond. “With our limited budget, these grant funds are significant to our community. We thank Senators Kelly and Sinema for recognizing our water infrastructure needs and championing our funding request,” said Mayor Dee Jenkins. “Without funding assistance like this, the Town would have to seek other funding options such as debt to fund this project.”
The Town continues to invest in a safe water supply and this funding assistance allows for progress sooner than later as well as forward movement on other key priorities. “This project is an essential next step in ensuring a quality water supply for the community,” said Utility Director Jeff Low. “This project is vital as we work on completing our water system master plan.” The soon-to-be-completed water master plan will detail the existing and future water distribution system for the town as well as include a prioritized list of needs for the next 20 years.
Water infrastructure and access to a high-quality water supply was an important goal in the Town’s 10-year plan and remains a top priority today. “The Town continues to prioritize investment in key infrastructure to serve our residents and businesses. We appreciate the senators supporting this $2M grant for an arsenic removal system to ensure a safer water supply for our community,” said Mayor Dee Jenkins.
