A bill is winding its way through the Arizona State Legislature that would provide funding for the building of a water infrastructure project in the upper northern part of the state.
As proposed by Senator Theresa Hatathlie, Senate Bill 1469 would provide just over $5.4 million for the expansion of a water treatment plant in the small town of Page; with another $13.5 million going for the design and construction of a pipeline connected to the project.
A final $23 million is slated for the design and construction of an intake pump station.
The funding would come out of the state’s General Fund.
The project has long been in the talking stage and would provide, if built, needed water infrastructure for the city of Page, which has a population of around 7,200 people, as well as nearby LeChee, four miles to the south, with a population of some 1,400 people.
According to sources, the new water infrastructure would replace existing infrastructure that dates to the 1950s.
The bill is now in the House Rules Committee, with the larger legislature scheduled to conclude its spring session on April 22.
By Garry Boulard
