Hopi Secures Over $4 Million for Major Arizona Water Infrastructure Initiative

The Hopi Tribe has received over $4 million from the Department of Energy to establish a solar-powered microgrid, aimed at enhancing both energy and water independence. This funding will facilitate the construction of a 250-kilowatt microgrid capable of powering two wells situated within the unelectrified Side Rock Well Field on the Hopi Reservation in northeast Arizona.

The newly established wells will serve the villages of Upper and Lower Moenkopi through a pipeline currently underway. Hopi tribal council representative Leroy Shingoitewa emphasized the significance of this project, stating, “It’ll be bringing much-needed water to the village of Moencopi on the Hopi Reservation.” Arizona Democratic Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly announced the funding, underscoring its impact on the community’s future.

Gallego remarked, “I’m excited to announce that the Hopi Tribe has been awarded over $4 million to help secure its energy and water future.” He highlighted the importance of clean water for community health and economic progress, noting that this project will ensure reliable access for remote areas of the Hopi Reservation. Kelly echoed this sentiment, stating, “This project means Hopi families will have a steady, reliable water source,” stressing the dual benefits of reduced costs and long-term community resource stability.

The microgrid is part of a broader initiative known as the Side Rock Water Supply project, which aims to secure a consistent water source for the Hopi Tribe. A microgrid operates as a self-sufficient electrical network that can function independently or in conjunction with the main power grid, tailored specifically for the unique needs of the community.

Located approximately 55 miles from the Hopi’s main headquarters, the Upper and Lower Moencopi villages are distinct from the rest of the Hopi Tribe territory. This geographic isolation exacerbates their challenges; the current wells insufficiently meet the community’s water needs. Shingoitewa noted, “With the money that’s now gonna be available for the wells to bring water here, we will have the opportunity to provide more water to meet the needs of our people here in our village … and also for the future.”

The quest for water rights remains a critical issue for tribal nations, many of which continue to fight in court for their claims. To address these challenges, Senators Kelly and Gallego introduced the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025. This legislation, which aims to ratify and fund the largest Indian water rights settlement in the United States, would provide crucial water rights to the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. It guarantees access to over 56,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water, alongside certain groundwater rights and protections.

This legislative effort also includes obligations for the Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation to preserve a portion of Arizona Upper Basin water in Lake Powell during the initial years of the agreement. San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe President Carlene Yellowhair described this moment as historic, stating, “Clean, running water and permanent homes are luxuries our people have gone too long without.”