Heinrich seeks $55M to protect Navajo Gallup water project

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich pursued an additional $55 million in federal funding and proposed language to cap Gallup's share of costs for the long-delayed Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project, aiming to prevent rising expenses from forcing Gallup out of the regional effort. The funding and cost-cap language were included in a broader fiscal year 2026 appropriations package, but Congress and the president still must approve the package for the measures to take effect.

Heinrich outlined the push during a Jan. 7 press call as project estimates climbed and threatened to stall the multi-jurisdictional water program. The proposed cap would set Gallup's contribution near $76 million, reducing the city's exposure to cost overruns and keeping the project financially viable for both municipal and tribal partners.

For Apache County residents and communities across the Navajo Nation, the stakes are immediate. The Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project is intended to deliver reliable drinking water and strengthen regional infrastructure that supports homes, schools, health clinics, and local businesses. Years of planning and construction delays have left some areas still waiting for promised deliveries of treated water, and escalating costs have complicated relationships among federal, tribal, and municipal stakeholders.

Local officials have warned that if municipal partners withdraw because of cost uncertainty, progress on pipeline segments and treatment facilities could slow or stop. Federal assistance and clear cost-sharing rules are therefore critical to maintaining momentum. Heinrich’s request ties into ongoing federal efforts to support tribal infrastructure and to address needs in communities that often face outdated or inadequate water systems.

The appropriations language included in the FY2026 package builds on previous federal commitments to the project, but it does not guarantee final approval. The next steps are congressional votes on the appropriations bills and presidential signature. If approved, the additional funding and cost cap would give local planners and tribal governments clearer financial parameters as construction proceeds.

For residents, the proposal signals renewed federal attention to a project that affects basic services and regional economic resilience. Watch for statements and updates from city officials in Gallup, Navajo Nation leadership, and Apache County public works as lawmakers take up the appropriations process. Continued coordination among municipal, tribal, and federal partners will determine whether the project can finally move from delay to delivery.