SAFFORD — The use of reclaimed water to irrigate Graham County Fairgrounds, freeing up millions of gallons of water for drinking, is one step closer to reality.
On Monday, the Safford City Council voted unanimously to award the bid for installation of waterlines from the wastewater plant to the fairgrounds to Show Low Construction in the amount of $2.7 million.
The money is coming from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority.
Work is scheduled to begin in March and be completed by November 2022.
“This schedule is based on material lead times. We’re finding out that pipe is almost impossible to get right now, they’re 16- to 18-weeks out,” said Lance Henrie, Safford Public Works director.
The City of Safford is under agreement to provide water to Graham County for the fairgrounds. The two entities entered into agreement for Graham County to accept treated effluent for irrigation at a reduced rate of pay in exchange for Safford taking over the land of the old Sheriff’s Office for the new Safford Police Department.
