The City of Goodyear has been selected as one of two water providers in the Grand Canyon State to receive a major federal grant to help improve management and conservation for one of the most important natural resources one can have: Water.

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewel and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor announced that 44 projects in 11 western states will receive a combined $20.8 million in WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) and Energy Efficiency grants.

Goodyear was awarded $300,000 for its Arizona Initial Vadose Zone Recharge project as its plans to install five new injection wells so that available reclaimed water can be used to recharge the West Salt River Aquifer. Goodyear’s project, which will cost $2.1 million overall, is expected to result in water savings of 2,800 acre-feet per year by allowing the storage of a locally available supply that can be used to meet future needs.

Reclaimed water is obtained by cleaning wastewater from homes and businesses using chemical and biological treatment. After treatment, the water can safely be returned to the environment without harming natural systems.

“Our project showed its merit for the importance of reclaimed water,” said Mark Holmes, Water Resources manager for the City of Goodyear. “Making an investment in our future water supply is not only important, it’s essential for the city’s continued prosperity.”

“In these fiscal times, competition for these grant dollars is very competitive,” Holmes added.

Reclamation estimates that together the 44 projects could save more than 100,000 acre-feet of water per year (there’s 325,851 gallons in an acre foot) – enough for more than 400,000 people for water conservation projects throughout the nation.

For more information contact Mike Sakal at 623-882-7053 or michael.sakal@goodyearaz.gov.