Powering Water Pumps in the Navajo Nation

The Navajo Nation is a place like no other. The reservation covers 27,000 square miles and spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The Navajo Nation is home to world-famous natural attractions, including Monument Valley, Lake Powell, and Antelope Canyon. But it also faces challenges, including a large share of households lacking basic infrastructure, such as running water.

The Navajo Nation has the highest percentage of homes without piped water in the United States. An estimated 30 percent of residents live without running water, forcing many families to travel long distances to collect water from public filling stations. Access to clean, reliable water remains a critical challenge across the reservation.

CHALLENGE

Water sources across the Navajo Nation have been compromised by historic mining activity, leaving wells contaminated with heavy metals and minerals.

In contrast, in Leupp, Arizona, there is a 1,500-foot-deep well that produces some of the cleanest and coldest water in the region and is naturally protected from surface contamination. As a result, residents from various parts of the reservation rely on this well to fill household water tanks.

The area surrounding Leupp has deep historical significance, shaped by early transportation routes connecting Flagstaff to California in the mid-1800s and the arrival of the railroad in the 1880s. Leupp is also home to the former Leupp Indian School, established in 1902 by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which later became the Leupp Isolation Center during World War II, where Japanese and Japanese-American internees were detained.

In the past, the well and its associated infrastructure were powered entirely by diesel generators. Operating in a remote location, the system faced escalating maintenance challenges, including frequent oil changes, high fuel consumption, long run hours, and recurring generator failures. These issues increased operating costs and threatened the reliability of the water source.

When grant funding became available for renewable energy and battery storage, the site was identified as an ideal candidate. At the same time, a newly constructed community building (makerspace) required reliable electrical service, further strengthening the case for a modernized power system.

The aging diesel-powered system was replaced with one featuring high-voltage lithium batteries as its primary power source, with the generator remaining as backup.

RESULT

While the site has experienced improvements through multiple grants over the years, including atmospheric water generation, upgraded filling stations, greenhouses, and additional water storage tanks, this energy upgrade represents the largest and most impactful improvement to date. By transitioning from generator-only operation to a renewable, battery-based power system, the project significantly reduces fuel use, maintenance demands, and downtime.

Most importantly, the new solar + storage system ensures reliable access to clean water for the many Navajo families who depend on this well as a lifeline for their homes and daily needs. The energy storage system also powers the shared community space, enrighing everyone's lives.

This project demonstrates how modern energy storage and the integration of renewables can strengthen critical infrastructure, improve reliability, and directly support community health and resilience in remote locations.

Done Right Electrial (DRE-Solar) was the installer for this project. Done Right primarily serves Northern Arizona, mainly covering a 150-mile radius from Kingman, Arizona. 

NAZ Solar Electric is an authorized distributor of residential and commercial energy solutions, including Discover’s AES Cabinet series of batteries.

Discover Energy Systems has over 75 years of experience in the battery business, supplying dependable batteries and power electronics that make sustainable power a reality for current and future generations.

For information on the AES Cabinet energy storage solution used in this project, visit this page.

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