PHOENIX — The City of Phoenix will receive $179 million in federal funding from the Bureau of Reclamation to support the design and construction of the North Gateway Advanced Water Purification Facility, officials announced earlier this month.
The announcement was made by U.S. Representative Greg Stanton and Mayor Kate Gallego at the Cave Creek Water Reclamation Plant, which is already under construction and will be the city’s first advanced purification site. The North Gateway facility, planned for northwest Phoenix, has yet to begin construction.
Strengthening Phoenix’s water future
Mayor Gallego called the funding the result of years of collaboration with federal partners, saying it will strengthen water security while supporting affordability for residents. Once complete, she said the North Gateway facility and Cave Creek together will provide 14,000 acre-feet of potable water — enough to serve about 40,000 families.
“This is an investment in Phoenix families and the future of our economy,” Gallego said.
Rep. Stanton emphasized the urgency of building water resilience as Arizona faces continued pressure on Colorado River supplies. “The most effective tools we have are water recycling and water conservation,” he said. “Advanced water purification is a proven solution, and we’re going to take it to scale here in our community.”
Local and regional impact
Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien, whose district will host the new facility, described the funding as a transformative victory for Phoenix’s growth and sustainability. She said the facility represents innovation and reliability in water infrastructure.
Dave White, associate vice president of research advancement at Arizona State University, highlighted the importance of community trust in the technology. “Public understanding and acceptance of advanced water purification is critical to success,” he noted.
Next steps
Design work for the North Gateway facility will move forward with construction timelines to be set afterward. Officials estimate the plant will be operational in the early 2030s.
The City of Phoenix Water Services Department says the project reflects its commitment to providing a secure, sustainable water supply for residents, businesses, and future generations.
