The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Water is our most precious resource. It sustains life, fuels our ecosystems, powers industry, and nourishes our crops and livestock. As Arizona’s economy and population continues to grow, the continued success of our state relies on our ability to protect our water supply. This means strengthening infrastructure and investing in conservation and drought resiliency efforts to safeguard our supply for generations to come. As your Representative, I will continue to responsibly advocate for legislation, funding and other efforts that promote a more secure water future.
Central to any conversation about water security and conservation is the Colorado River, which provides water to over 40 million people in the West and accounts for roughly 36% of Arizona’s water supply. However, a combination of Arizona’s rapid population growth and a historic drought could lead to significant cuts in water delivery to Arizona. As we prepare to negotiate the post-2026 water allocations, I launched the bipartisan Colorado River Caucus alongside Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02) to lead a bipartisan coalition of members from the seven basin states to work on initiatives that bolster conservation efforts and prevent extensive cuts to Arizona’s water delivery. If we are serious about securing our water future, we must work with both our lower and upper basin partners.
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As part of this work, I co-led the introduction of the Water Monitoring and Tracking Essential Resources (WATER) Data Improvement Act (H.R. 5770) alongside Rep. Neguse to address water scarcity issues by reauthorizing water monitoring and measuring programs in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to effectively manage water levels, which passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. The passage of this bill builds on my previous effort, the Drought Preparedness Act (H.R. 4385) to reauthorize the Bureau of Reclamation’s Drought Response Program authorities to minimize the damage caused by a drought and improve water availability for those affected, which also passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support.
As the only member from Arizona to serve on the House Appropriations Committee, I have a seat at the table when Congress crafts its annual spending priorities, giving me the unique opportunity to ensure our district’s needs are prioritized by the federal government. In Fiscal Year 2025, I preliminarily secured $34 million for fifteen projects across all five counties in my district, including $8 million to bolster Arizona’s water resiliency and sustainability efforts. These projects include $1.2 million to replace old and aging water lines throughout Graham County; $1.75 million to connect two water reclamation facilities in Tucson; $1.75 million for the construction of a new treatment facility in Marana, $2.25 million to reduce groundwater loss at the Marana Regional Airport; and $990,000 to replace old and outdated equipment at the City of Tombstone’s water reclamation facility.
Moreover, using my position as an appropriator, I was able to preliminarily secure $12.5 million for maintenance and repair of the International Outfall Interceptor (IOI) to complete the transfer of ownership from the City of Nogales to the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). For decades, families in Nogales faced challenges with untreated wastewater coming from Mexico and overflowing into the street during storms. This agreement will strengthen public health and safety in Nogales.
In addition to these efforts, I introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill to ratify and fund the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement, a historic agreement that settles one of the longest-running water issues in Arizona. The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act (H.R. 8940) secures water rights for the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the Southern San Juan Paiute Tribe. For far too long, many Tribal communities in Arizona have not had adequate access to clean and reliable water. This legislation rights that wrong, improving water infrastructure throughout the region and providing these communities with much-needed certainty and allowing Arizona to better plan for a secure water future.
This settlement is the result of years of careful negotiation and collaboration and has been approved by all three tribes. Now, the federal government must ratify and fund it, which is exactly what my legislation does. I’m proud to be joined by a bipartisan group of fellow Arizonans on this effort, including Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Krysten Sinema (I-AZ), and Representatives Greg Stanton (AZ-04), David Schweikert (AZ-01), Eli Crane (AZ-02), Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), and Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07). 
Securing Arizona's water future requires a multifaceted approach that includes strong conservation measures, strategic investments, and collaboration across party and state lines. From protecting the Colorado River to modernizing our water infrastructure and ensuring that every community — especially Tribal nations — have access to reliable water, I remain committed to using my role to champion efforts that safeguard this precious resource for a secure water future in Arizona.
Juan Ciscomani, a Republican, is U.S. Representative from Arizona's Congressional District 6.