WINDOW ROCK — Navajo families in seven communities are closer to reliable drinking water after President Buu Nygren signed 10 intergovernmental agreements securing $24.555 million for waterline construction, extensions and system improvements.
The agreements advance projects in Arizona and across New Mexico including Fort Defiance, Sanostee, Thoreau, Huerfano, Mexican Springs, Coyote Canyon and Iyanbito.
“Signing these agreements moves critical funding into action for our people,” said President Nygren. “Each project brings us closer to ensuring that more Navajo families have access to safe, reliable water. We appreciate the State of New Mexico, the Indian Affairs Department and the Tribal Infrastructure Board for continuing to invest in our communities.”
The Navajo Nation Division of Community Development will administer the projects through separate intergovernmental agreements. Funding will support professional design services, labor, materials, equipment, coordination, supervision and project management necessary to complete the waterlines.
Fort Defiance Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Reach 12.3
The Navajo Nation will receive $1.77 million for the planning, design and construction of the Fort Defiance Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Reach 12.3 waterline. The project is part of the larger Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project and will improve water infrastructure serving the Fort Defiance community. The project period runs from July 2026 through June 2030.
Sanostee San Juan Lateral Connection
The Navajo Nation will receive $4.62 million for the full design and construction of the Sanostee San Juan Lateral Connection. The project is part of the Sanostee Tse Alnaozti’i Region San Juan Lateral Water Project. Funding was secured through the State of New Mexico’s fiscal year 2027 Severance Tax Bond appropriation and consists entirely of state capital-outlay funds. The project will strengthen local water infrastructure and improve access to dependable drinking water for the Sanostee community. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Thoreau 371 Regional Water Supply Project – Phase 1
The Navajo Nation will receive $3.155 million for Phase 1 of the Thoreau 371 Regional Water Supply Project. The funding will support the professional design and construction of a community waterline, including the labor, materials, equipment, coordination and supervision required to complete the project. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Burnham Regional Water System Project
The Navajo Nation will receive $2.94 million through the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department’s Tribal Infrastructure Fund to construct a waterline for the Burnham Regional Water System Project serving Huerfano Chapter. The funding will support the labor, materials, equipment, coordination and supervision needed to construct the community waterline. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Carson-Burnham Regional Water System Project
Huerfano Chapter will receive $50,000 to plan, design, construct and install a waterline as part of the Carson-Burnham Regional Water System Project. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 20, 2028.
Mexican Springs San Juan Lateral Connection
The Navajo Nation will receive $4.62 million to construct the Mexican Springs Regional San Juan Lateral Water Project. The funding will support the professional design and construction of the Mexican Springs San Juan Lateral Connection, including the labor, materials, equipment, coordination and supervision needed to complete the community waterline. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Coyote Canyon Chapter Waterline Extension Project
The Navajo Nation will receive $5.7 million for a waterline extension project serving Coyote Canyon Chapter. The funding will support the construction and extension of community waterlines. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Thoreau 371 Regional Water Supply Project – Additional Waterline Funding
Thoreau Chapter will receive an additional $200,000 for the Regional 371 Water Supply Project to construct a waterline in the chapter community. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Iyanbito Chapter Waterline Construction
Iyanbito Chapter will receive $300,000 to construct a waterline in the chapter community. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Iyanbito Water Systems Improvement Project
Iyanbito Chapter will also receive $1.2 million for the Iyanbito Water Systems Improvement Project. The funding will support improvements to the chapter’s water system. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Together, the 10 projects represent a coordinated investment in essential water infrastructure and reflect the continuing partnership between the Navajo Nation and the State of New Mexico.
“Reliable water service provides a foundation for healthier homes, stronger communities and future growth,” President Nygren added. “We will continue working with our state, federal and local partners to move these projects from planning to completion and bring dependable water service to more Navajo families.”
Each funding agreement includes oversight, compliance and reporting requirements to ensure the funds are properly administered and the projects remain accountable to the communities they are intended to serve.
“I want to offer my deepest gratitude to New Mexico Indian Affairs Department Secretary Josett Monette for her extraordinary partnership and steadfast commitment to the Navajo people,” President Nygren said. “Secretary Monette has been instrumental in advancing not only these water projects, but many critical investments across the Navajo Nation. As I prepare to leave office, I thank her for listening to our communities, helping remove barriers and turning urgent needs into meaningful action. Her work will continue to make a difference in the lives of Navajo families for generations.”
