Salazar & Markey Secure $5 Million for Ark Valley Conduit

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Salazar and Congresswoman Betsy Markey announced a $5 million appropriation for the Arkansas Valley Conduit has been approved by the House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee.  The first round of Conduit funding will be used for the environmental analysis, planning and design.

“This is great news for the people of Southeastern Colorado.  It has been 45 years since they were promised clean and safe drinking water and we’re going to finally make that a reality,” said Congressman John Salazar, a member of the Appropriations Committee and the Energy and Water Subcommittee that approved the funding.  “Water equals life in the Western United States and these communities must have a clean reliable water delivery system to ensure their success.  I joined the Appropriations Committee to fight for my constituents and I am excited by the steps we took today to move the Conduit forward.”

“I am thankful that the Appropriations Committee listened to the concerns of the constituents in the lower Arkansas River Valley. Without funding for the conduit, communities have faced higher costs to treat contaminated water,” said Congresswoman Betsy Markey. “This funding will help provide fresh, clean water that is essential to the largest agricultural region in the state.”

Salazar and Markey won a victory earlier this year when the legislation authorizing the construction of the Conduit was signed into law by President Barak Obama.  

The Arkansas Valley Conduit (Conduit) is designed to provide clean drinking water to approximately 40 cities, towns and water providers in the lower Arkansas River Valley.  The Conduit will begin at Pueblo Reservoir, travel east approximately 140 miles, delivering water to the various communities along the way.  These communities are in dire need of a source of water that will help them comply with the Clean Drinking Water Act in a manner that they can afford.  Every community that will receive water from the Conduit is currently rated below the 85 percent level of Average Household Income.