$13.5 million coming to Arizona to address PFAS

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly announced that $13,587,000 will be invested in Arizona.

In a press release, this is to address Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), or the "forever chemicals."

In addition, the investment will protect Arizona communities and the environment from contamination.

Equally important, the funding comes from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law led by Sinema and shaped by Kelly.

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)

Additionally, the investment was allocated to Arizona through the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program.

For further context, DWSRF is a financial system program to help water systems and states protect the health of local communities.

The primary purpose of the the program is to address PFAS and other harmful contaminants.

“‘Forever chemicals’ like PFAS threaten the health and safety of Arizona communities by putting drinking water at risk and exposing servicemembers, firefighters, and everyday Arizonans to toxic substances. I’m proud that through our negotiations of our bipartisan infrastructure law we secured over $13 million to address these contaminants, protect Arizonans’ health, and safeguard our environment,” said Sinema.

Also, “PFAS contamination is already an issue for groundwater across Arizona, including Tucson, the West Valley, Prescott and other communities. I’m glad to announce we secured $13 million from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for our state and communities to protect our groundwater aquifers, clean up these contaminants, and protect public health. I’ll continue working to protect our water sources which are even more critical as we face a historic drought,” said Kelly.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Clearly, PFAS, AKA "forever chemicals," are dangerous pollutants contaminating drinking water sources.

Studies have shown PFAS exposure may:

• Negatively affect growth and learning of infants.
• Increase the risk of cancer.
• Harm the immune system.

Additionally, PFAS have been detected in the groundwater near numerous Arizona military bases like:

• Luke Air Force Base in Glendale
• Davis-Mountain Air Force Base in Tucson
• Marine Corp Air Station in Yuma
• The grounds of the decommissioned Williams Air Force Base in Maricopa County

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law

Without a doubt, Sinema and Kelly's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law makes a historic $10 billion investment to address chemicals contamination.

Apart from this, Arizona is set to receive $109 million in 2022 alone from the EPA to address:

• Clean and drinking water systems
• Update wastewater infrastructure
• Help clean-up contaminants

Furthermore, the bipartisan infrastructure law makes the strongest investment in clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in U.S. history, delivering clean water to millions of families.

Moreover, more than $8 billion will be spent to strengthen water infrastructure throughout the American West such as:

• Aging infrastructure
• Water shortage
• Water recycling
• Drought contingency plans
• Dam safety