Death Valley National Park Secures $82 Million Infrastructure Project to Overhaul Critical Water Systems

DEATH VALLEY, CA / LAS VEGAS, NV — The National Park Service (NPS) officially announced an $82 million infrastructure project set to break ground this fall to modernize critical water and wastewater utilities across Death Valley National Park.

Funded through the Great American Outdoors Act’s (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund, the three-year initiative represents one of the largest infrastructure investments in the park’s history. The project will replace decades-old utility lines that serve park visitors, hospitality facilities, employee housing, and the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe.

Replacing Aging Utility Networks in Extreme Conditions

Much of the park’s current utility infrastructure dates back to the 1960s and has far exceeded its intended operational lifespan. In recent years, extreme desert heat—where groundwater temperatures regularly exceed 100°F—along with recurring flash floods, has accelerated pipeline corrosion.

Water main breaks have forced emergency repairs about once a week in recent years, resulting in frequent water outages, boil-water advisories, and temporary campground closures.

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|       DEATH VALLEY $82M INFRASTRUCTURE OVERHAUL        |
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|  - Total Funding: $82 Million (GAOA Legacy Fund)       |
|  - Timeline: 3-Year Phased Construction (Starts Fall)  |
|  - Water Pipelines: ~15 Miles Replaced                 |
|  - Sewer Pipelines: ~16 Miles Replaced                 |
|  - Key Facilities: Cow Creek & Furnace Creek RO Plants |
|  - Beneficiaries: Visitors, Staff, Timbisha Shoshone   |
+--------------------------------------------------------+

Comprehensive System Upgrades

The modernization effort centers on the Cow Creek and Furnace Creek utility networks, as well as their shared regional wastewater treatment facility:

Drinking Water Infrastructure: Construction crews will replace approximately 15 miles of water pipeline, drill new supply wells, upgrade bulk storage tanks, build a new reverse osmosis (RO) treatment building at Cow Creek, and rehabilitate the existing RO facility at Furnace Creek.
Wastewater & Sanitation: The project will replace roughly 16 miles of sewer pipeline, modernize sewage lift stations, and overhaul treatment processing systems.

“Reliable drinking water and wastewater systems are fundamental to every visitor’s experience and to the people who live and work in Death Valley, the hottest and driest national park in the country,” stated Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds. “This investment will strengthen these essential systems and ensure reliable service for decades to come.”

Construction will be phased through 2029 to minimize disruption to park operations, local hotels, and visitor centers.

Source: National Park Service (NPS) News Releases, U.S. Department of the Interior Public Land Records.