News Release Archive

Reclamation holds kickoff event for long-awaited Arkansas Valley Conduit to bring safe, clean water to Colorado communities

Media Contact: Brittany Jones, 406-247-7611, bjones@usbr.gov

For Release: October 03, 2020

PUEBLO, Colo. – The Bureau of Reclamation held a kickoff event for the construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC) Project at Pueblo Dam, Oct. 3, 2020.

Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt and Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman attended the event for the major infrastructure project, that upon completion will convey clean water from Pueblo Reservoir to 40 communities and a projected future population of 50,000 people in Southeastern Colorado.

“The Arkansas Valley Conduit will provide a reliable long-term water supply to communities relying on groundwater contaminated by naturally occurring toxins. Reclamation is proud to provide a source of safe and clean water to promote health, welfare, and economic opportunity for these Americans,” said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman.

President John F. Kennedy signed the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project Act in 1962, authorizing construction of the AVC, but it was not previously constructed because the rural communities could not afford the full cost of the project. Reclamation worked with project sponsors to reduce costs and the need for federal appropriations, and identify additional funding revenues through both federal and state loans and grants. The total cost of the AVC is estimated to be between $564 million and $610 million, and 35 percent of the costs will be repaid by project beneficiaries over a period of up to 50 years.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.