Gov. Hobbs says state will do what it can to expedite Grand Canyon water treatment plan

Grand Canyon National Park set tentative dates for when it will start pumping water to its new water treatment plan following catastrophic flooding on Aug. 29, and Gov. Katie Hobbs said the state will expedite the process however it can.

Officials are nearing an agreement to retrieve about 200,000 gallons of water per day from the Bright Angel Creek intake beginning Nov. 16. Distribution across the South Rim is expected by Thanksgiving.

It will take about 45 days to fill the tanks completely, officials said.

“Water infrastructure has been an issue here at the canyon for a while, and obviously was severely exacerbated by the recent flooding,” Hobbs said after touring the facility. “So it’s very fortunate that we were already well on our way to having this plant completed and open.

“Having the park reopen for overnight guests is contingent on this treatment plan. … The state is going to be doing everything we can on the permitting side to expedite so that this can open as quickly and safely as possible.”

The dates are tentative and subject to additional weather activity, such as a smaller flash flood on Wednesday that damaged a temporary water intake.

The initial flooding, which killed three people and required rescue efforts for about 80 others, damaged the following:

• Transcanyon Waterline, including about 40% of the pipeline between Phantom Ranch and North Rim
• Bright Angel Creek intake area
• Roaring Springs intake area

Stage 4 water restrictions remain in effect on the South Rim, where visitors are asked to bring their own drinking water and use portable restrooms and handwashing stations deployed throughout the area.

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