WIFA seeks information on innovative, environmentally sound and sustainable water solutions.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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[PHOENIX, September 20, 2023] – Today, the Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) issued a request for information (RFI) seeking to identify and understand water augmentation opportunities that could support growing Arizona communities and state water needs.
The RFI is an open and transparent process for launching WIFA’s Long-term Water Augmentation Fund (LTWAF) by proactively seeking input and ideas for potential water augmentation from diverse water supply interests.
“This RFI is the first step in a competitive process to bring new water into Arizona,” said Chuck Podolak, WIFA’s Director. “We are not yet seeking formal augmentation proposals, but are instead using this RFI to help identify future water demands and develop a list of potential augmentation opportunities to increase water supplies for the state of Arizona. We’re ultimately looking for a diverse set of public and private water supply interests to help us turn water augmentation opportunities and ideas into environmentally sound and sustainable solutions that can benefit Arizonans.”
Created by the Arizona State Legislature in 2022, the LTWAF will help finance water supply development with at least 75 percent of the funds being used for opportunities that import water through partnerships from outside the state and up to 25 percent of the funds available for in-state augmentation projects.
All responses to the RFI must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. 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 this RFI. Additionally, submitting a response is not a prerequisite for participating in a future procurement.
During the RFI process there will be an opportunity for respondents to meet with WIFA to learn more and share any ideas through an industry forum. This forum will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 10 a.m. MST.
About WIFA
WIFA is a state agency dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of Arizona's present and future water supply through financial investments in effective augmentation, conservation, reuse, and water quality. WIFA is Arizona's administrator of the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF and DWSRF), providing low-interest loans and technical assistance to water and clean water infrastructure projects, as well as three new funds aimed at conserving water and identifying new supplies. Over the last 30 years, WIFA has proudly invested almost $3 billion in communities throughout Arizona driving sustainable solutions and helping to secure Arizona’s water future.
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