Most utilities are not yet required by law to notify water customers if high concentrations of PFAS are detected in their water, nor are they required to reduce the levels of contaminants. This is expected to become mandatory in 2027 and 2029, respectively. The extension proposed by the Trump administration could buy utilities more time and roll back some customer protections.
Water utilities near Amado, Buckeye, Chino Valley, Dewey, Kearney, Mayer, Nogales, Payson, Prescott and Yuma are receiving financial and technical assistance to address PFAS by connecting customers to clean water sources or building treatment plants.
The funding is part of the country’s annual spending ending this fiscal year. Arizona is expected to receive a total of $104 million in federal funding by the end of 2026. The funds are administered by the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority and administered by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality ADEQ.
“To date, $8 million has been allocated for the planning and design phase of 22 projects and the completion of two projects. The remaining $96 million will fund the construction phase of these same projects and additional projects in the future,” ADEQ communications director Caroline Oppleman told The Republic.
Twelve granular activated carbon vessels where PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are removed from water at the Tucson Airport Restoration Project’s water treatment facility.
Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star, File 2021
Major utilities that report PFAS contamination above federal standards, including Tucson, Gilbert, Chandler, Glendale, Sun City West and Lake Havasu, are not recipients.
State officials began sampling and testing drinking water for PFAS in urban and rural areas across the state starting in 2023, when there was no federal mandate, and created an interactive map using this public information.
PFAS treatment to protect groundwater
ADEQ funded 24 projects in Gila, Maricopa, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, and Yuma counties. Most of the projects are in Yavapai County and include mobile home parks with contaminated private wells.
