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.

Committee Membership

The WIFA Long-Term Water Augmenation Committe includes nine members of the WIFA Board.

• Peter Kim
• David Beckham
• Buchanan Davis
• Ted Cooke
• Tim Thomure
• Susan Montgomery
• Richard Lunt

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.