Sonoran desert view. the image includes green shrubs, a riverbed with water, and the central arizona canal. the image has a text overlay that reads

Long-Term Water Augmentation 

 

In 2022, the Arizona Legislature placed significant new authorities, responsibilities, and funds with WIFA. One of these funds is the Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund, a forward-thinking $1 billion investment in water augmentation. WIFA has been tasked with administering the fund by investing in projects designed to import new water into Arizona for the benefit of current and future users, the economy, and the environment. 

The LTWAF will help finance water supply development with at least 75% of the funds being used for opportunities that import water from outside the state and up to 25% of the funds available for in-state augmentation projects.  

point of view of black canyon national recreational trail near black canyon city arizona. foreground is shrubbery and vegetation, mid image left to right depicts two mountains and the background/middle has a trail and clear sky with light clouds

Request For Information (RFI)

On September 20, 2023, WIFA officially opened a Request for Information regarding the Long Term Water Augmentation Fund. The RFI asks a diverse set of public and private water supply interests to describe potential water augmentation opportunities they have identified or believe may be valuable for WIFA to consider. The RFI also asks for input on innovations, ideas, and opportunities that could be further refined or researched in future stages of the LTWAF program. 

 

This RFI is WIFA’s first step to identify future water demands and develop a list of potential augmentation opportunities to increase water supplies for the state of Arizona. The results will help to define augmentation solutions that can meaningfully impact Arizona’s water supply portfolio in ways consistent with Arizona’s needs – both current and anticipated.


How to Apply


We look forward to your input on the RFI and we appreciate your effort in helping to identify innovative, reliable, and sustainable solutions to augment Arizona’s water supply. As its label implies, the RFI is only a request for information and is NOT a formal solicitation or initiation of a procurement process. No contract or agreement will be entered into, as a result of the RFI.


Request for Information for Long-Term Water Augmentation


All responses should be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., no later than 5:00 PM Mountain Standard Time (MST)/(UTC -7) on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Please clearly indicate respondent name and "RFI for LTWAF" on the email subject line and submission cover letter.

  • Who Should Respond?

    Anyone with an interest or concern about the current or future adequacy, reliability, or sustainability of Arizona’s water supply should provide input on potential solutions and partnerships to WIFA via the RFI process.  

  • RFI Schedule

    September 20, 2023: RFI period opens.
    October 4, 2023: 10:00 AM MST Industry Forum at 100 N. 7th Avenue,  Suite 100, Phoenix AZ 85007. If you're joining virtually, please register here.
    November 15, 2023: Responses are due by 5:00 PM MST.

  • Looking for More Information?

    To find more information on the RFI, download our FAQs or connect with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Program Overview:
In 2022, the legislature placed significant new authorities, responsibilities, and funds with WIFA, including the mandate to find new water sources through the Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund (“LTWAF”). Water is a fundamental building block in the desert, and Arizona has a long and successful history of finding innovative ways to manage and use this scarce resource. From the construction of the Salt River Project and the Central Arizona Project to historic agreements like the Groundwater Management Act of 1980 or the Drought Contingency Plan of 2019, the state has always found ways to let Arizonans build the diverse lifestyles, cultures, and futures they desire.

WIFA is the next iteration of our vision for water: a holistic approach to meeting Arizona’s water needs through conservation, reliability, and augmentation. WIFA’s mission will open the door to solutions that may, at first, seem. impossible But, with the right partnerships, careful vetting of projects, and involvement of all stakeholders, WIFA can and will carry on Arizona’s legacy of successful water projects.

Eligible Entities 
Water providers including cities, towns, counties, water districts, commissions, and authorities including other public entities that are organized under Arizona statutory law or under voter-approved charters or initiatives can be eligible to receive financial assistance. WIFA may also enter into Public-Private Partnerships to fund water supply augmentation projects.

Types of Financial Assistance 
Financial assistance includes WIFA loans to eligible entities and credit enhancements purchased for an eligible entity's bonds or other forms of indebtedness. The LTWAF does not provide grants. WIFA will obtain full repayment for monies or financial assistance provided by the LTWAF from the recipients of the funding or financial assistance or from the recipients of any water supply development project or program made available from the fund through water supply contracts, loan repayments, rates, fees, charges or other, as appropriate.

Where We Are Now 
WIFA’s LTWAF program is in the earliest stages of program development and WIFA is looking to maintain and develop strong partnerships as it explores opportunities for water augmentation. The initial step of the LTWAF is to identify both future water demand throughout Arizona and potential opportunities to augment current water supplies. WIFA has not made commitments to any specific water projects or augmentation solutions. In December 2022, WIFA received an unsolicited proposal for a Long Term Water Augmentation Project. This proposal will be considered as part of WIFA's overall competitive process.

In addition to the LTWAF, WIFA offers other funding programs to support water supply programs throughout the state. These include the revolving fund loan programs that leverage federal funding and other funding opportunities specifically supporting water conservation programs and water supply development outside of the Central Arizona AMAs. You can find out more by clicking on the Funding Options tab in the navigation bar.

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