Many of the Hopi have been drinking tap water laced with high levels of arsenic for decades. The Hopi chairman told a House subcommittee Thursday the project to pipe clean water to the tribe has stalled out, as other tribes requested funds.
The federal government installed the Hopi Tribe's water supply system back in the 1960s. Hopi Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma told the House panel drinking water shouldn't be a luxury.
"The EPA ranks the Hopi reservation as one of its highest priorities," Nuvangyaoma said. "It has one of the longest running arsenic drinking water violations in the country with levels three times the legal limit. The EPA has threatened to fine the tribe $52,000 per day if it doesn't fix the BIA-constructed water system."
Last year the agency awarded the tribe funds to dig new wells. But Nuvangyaoma says they still need at least $20 million to complete the miles of pipeline to villages, schools and health care facilities.
