Grand Canyon’s water system will finally be modernized. How will that impact visitors?

After years of pipe breaks, water being shut off and other plumbing issues at the Grand Canyon, the National Park Service is moving forward with a new plan to modernize its water system.

NPS announced Thursday it had approved a plan to upgrade the system between the North Rim developed area and the Cottonwood Campground.

Officials expect construction to begin in the spring of 2027, but first they’ll have to solicit contractors, which they’ll start doing this summer.

How will NPS modernize the Grand Canyon water system?

Here’s what the NPS wants those contractors to accomplish:

• Install two new boreholes to house the potable and raw water lines.
• Construct a new water treatment plant on the North Rim.
• Build additional water tanks on the North Rim and Roaring Springs Pumphouse.
• Rehabilitate the Roaring Springs Pumphouse.
• Either rehabilitate or replace the waterline from the North Rim to the Roaring Springs water source.

Officials have already taken the necessary regulatory steps to show the project won’t negatively impact the environment.

Upgrading the North Rim-Roaring Springs water system could affect when and how visitors access parts of the North Rim during construction.

In the short term, visitors may run into temporary closures, schedule changes or construction zones. Hikers could see the biggest impact, especially near areas such as the Bright Angel Trail, North Kaibab Trail and Cottonwood Campground.

Anyone planning to visit the Grand Canyon’s North Rim next year should check for updates before heading out.

However, any short-term inconveniences will be necessary to ensure the water park’s water system becomes more reliable. In fact, NPS said the upgraded system is expected to serve the North Rim and parts of the inner canyon between Supai Tunnel and Cottonwood Campground for up to 75 years.

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