Christina Estes/KJZZ

The federal government is sending almost $29 million to tribes in the region for water infrastructure and environmental protection.

The federal government is sending almost $29 million to tribes in the region for water infrastructure and environmental protection.

The Environmental Protection Agency said 19 tribes are expected to use the money to improve drinking water and air quality, restore watersheds, and raise public awareness, among other things. The tribes include the Ak-Chin Indian Community, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and the Tohono O’odham Nation.

In a press release, the EPA said it “recognizes tribal governments as the primary parties for setting standards, making environmental policy decisions, and managing programs for reservations.”

A recent report from the U.S. Water Alliance and the human rights nonprofit Dig Deep said a much higher rate of Native American homes are without plumbing than white households. The Indian Health Service has estimated $200 million is needed to install basic water and sanitation on the Navajo Nation alone.