Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $82 Million To Bring Clean Drinking Water to Tribal Communities – US Department of the Interior

Date: Thursday, October 31, 2024

Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

The Department of the Interior Announces $82 Million Investment to Provide Clean Drinking Water to Tribal Communities

The Department of the Interior today announced a nearly $82 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to bring clean, safe drinking water to Tribal communities in the West. The investment will fund 23 projects through a new program established through the Inflation Reduction Act—the largest climate investment ever.

Investing in Water Infrastructure for Indigenous Communities

Bureau of Reclamation Deputy Commissioner David Palumbo and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Gary Gold made the announcement during a visit to San Carlos Apache Tribe in eastern Arizona, which is receiving $7.3 million to plan, design and obtain approvals and permits for a new raw water delivery and domestic drinking water treatment facilities for the San Carlos Regional Water System. The system serves the central portion of the reservation. Much of the population of the tribe resides in this area without access to safe and reliable drinking water. The area is prone to frequent water curtailments or shutdowns due to poor water quality and system mechanical failures, which often occur in the hot summer months.

President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is deploying record investments to provide affordable high-speed internet, safer roads and bridges, modern wastewater and sanitation systems, clean drinking water, reliable and affordable electricity, and good paying jobs in every Tribal community.

Ensuring Access to Clean Drinking Water for Tribal Families and Communities

“Investing in water infrastructure projects is crucial to ensuring the health, safety and economic prosperity of Indigenous communities,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “This new program, funded by the President’s Investing in America agenda, will help us ensure all Tribal families and communities have access to the clean, safe drinking water they need in order to thrive.”

“Through new resources provided through President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, we are able to support our Tribal partners who have demonstrated a need and plan for providing or improving their domestic water systems,” said Deputy Commissioner David Palumbo. “This new program will help our Tribal partners ensure a basic necessity like clean, reliable drinking water is available in their communities.”

Advancing Justice40 Initiative

The Inflation Reduction Act includes $550 million for domestic water supply projects in historically disadvantaged communities. In April, Reclamation made $320 million available through Fiscal Year 2031 to provide up to 100% of the cost for planning, design and construction of domestic water supply projects to support disadvantaged communities or households lacking access to reliable domestic water supplies. Reclamation did significant outreach to Tribes in the 17 western states to engage them throughout this funding opportunity.

Twenty-one projects through today’s announcement were selected to receive funding for planning and design and two were selected to receive funding for construction. View a complete list of projects on Reclamation’s website.

This funding is also advancing President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain climate, clean energy, and other federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses the investment of $82 million to bring clean, safe drinking water to Tribal communities in the West. This aligns with SDG 6, which focuses on ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all. Additionally, the article mentions the aim of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to provide affordable high-speed internet, safer roads and bridges, modern wastewater and sanitation systems, clean drinking water, reliable and affordable electricity, and good paying jobs in every Tribal community, which connects to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The mention of the investment as the largest climate investment ever also implies a connection to SDG 13 (Climate Action).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status
• No specific target mentioned for SDG 13 or SDG 16

The investment in bringing clean, safe drinking water to Tribal communities aligns with Target 6.1 of SDG 6, which aims to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030. The mention of President Biden’s agenda to provide various resources and opportunities to Tribal communities connects to Target 10.2 of SDG 10, which focuses on promoting the social, economic, and political inclusion of all individuals, regardless of their background or status.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. The article primarily focuses on the investment and the importance of providing clean drinking water to Tribal communities, without providing specific metrics or indicators for measuring progress.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: doi.gov