Oro Valley Water Utility secures full $3M WIFA grant

Published on July 30, 2025

ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (July 30, 2025) – The Oro Valley Water Utility was awarded an additional $1.15 million by the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA), bringing the Town’s total grant funding to the program’s $3 million maximum. The funding supports Oro Valley’s investment in the Northwest Recharge and Recovery Delivery System (NWRRDS), a regional effort that strengthens long-term water sustainability by storing and recovering renewable water supplies.

The NWRRDS is a joint effort between Oro Valley, the Town of Marana and Metro Water District to recover stored Central Arizona Project (CAP) water and deliver it directly to residents. The project is a critical step toward long-term aquifer health and resilience in the face of regional water challenges.

“The NWRRDS project reflects Oro Valley’s commitment to Southern Arizona’s water resource sustainability by reducing Oro Valley’s current groundwater pumping up to 80 percent, further ensuring the community’s prosperity and economic vitality,” said Water Utility Director Peter Abraham.

For Oro Valley residents, this means greater water security, protection against aquifer decline and a more sustainable future. The ability to access and deliver stored CAP water directly to customers will help stabilize groundwater levels, improve water quality and reduce the risk of land subsidence in Oro Valley and the surrounding region. Additionally, the WIFA grant helps offset utility infrastructure costs without the need for repayment, easing the long-term financial burden on water customers and reducing the need for additional financing.

“We appreciate our partnership with WIFA in providing this much needed grant funding,” said Town Manager Jeff Wilkins. “And I want to personally congratulate our Water Utility team—Director Peter Abraham and Administrator Mary Rallis—for their commitment to securing this grant funding and helping ensure a successful project for the Town.”

The Town of Oro Valley Water Utility was awarded WIFA grants over the course of one year, totaling the program’s $3 million maximum:

May 15, 2024: $1,638,383.06
June 25, 2024: $41,400
Dec. 18, 2024: $13,262.47
March 19, 2025: $149,417.50
May 21, 2025: $1,157,536.97

Construction on NWRRDS is now well underway. Three recovery wells have been drilled, and more than seven miles of pipeline are under construction to convey recovered water to a shared regional reservoir. From there, the water will be delivered to Oro Valley, Marana and the Metro Water District. Once completed in mid-2026, the system will provide more than 115,000 customers across northwest Tucson with reliable access to renewable water supplies.

To learn more about the Oro Valley Water Utility and its commitment to long-term sustainability, visit the Town’s Water Utility page.

###