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President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Help Communities Reduce Vulnerability to Drought

Over $310 million investment will support 25 projects bringing water to more than 850,000 per year

Media Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
Press@usbr.gov
For Release: Aug 18, 2022
Membranes used in the treatment process for water being recycled and then reused. Membranes used in the treatment process for water being recycled and then reused.

IRVINE, Calif. — Following a tour of the Syphon Reservoir Improvement Project at the Irvine Ranch Water District today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton announced the allocation of $309.8 million in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and $1 million in appropriated funding for the planning, design and construction of water reuse projects across the country. The selected projects will advance drought resilience and are expected to increase annual capacity by about 213,000 acre-feet of water, enough water to support more than 850,000 people a year.

The announcement caps a two-day swing through central and southern California to highlight how investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help address the worsening drought crisis and expand access to clean drinking water for families, farmers and wildlife. On Wednesday, Secretary Haaland, Commissioner Touton, and federal, state and local leaders visited with farmers and water users in Fresno to discuss water solutions for farmers and highlight investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“Water is essential to everything we do and it will take all of us, working together, to address the significant drought impacts we are seeing across the West. As the climate crisis drives severe drought conditions and historically low water allocations, President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making historic investments to address water and drought challenges and invest in our nation’s western water and power infrastructure,” said Secretary Haaland.

"Water reuse helps communities diversify their water supply as they are facing an unprecedented drought and a changing climate," said Commissioner Touton. “This has tangible impacts and can help feed families, grow crops, sustain wildlife and the environment and help more families access safe, clean, reliable water. These projects will provide flexibility for communities and help them stretch their current drinking supplies as they will be treating wastewater that continues to be available."

Funding will support local water management agencies with stretching existing drinking water supplies and helping to ensure that growing water needs can be met through the advanced treatment of wastewater and naturally impaired surface and groundwater. Along with non-federal contributions, today’s investment will support an overall $1.2 billion in infrastructure projects. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates $8.3 billion for Bureau of Reclamation water infrastructure projects to repair aging water delivery systems, secure dams, complete rural water projects, and protect aquatic ecosystems. The funding announced today is part of the $1 billion in WaterSMART Water Recycling and Reuse grants provided by the Law. The Department previously announced $52.2 million this year in WaterSMART grants funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support water and energy efficiency projects and conserve watersheds and restore aquatic habitats.

Selected Projects

Recipient State Title Reclamation Funding

Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency

CA

Replenish Big Bear Project

$8,267,112

Carpinteria Valley Water District

CA

Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project

$9,659,990

Coachella Valley Water District

CA

Water Reclamation Plant 10 (WRP-10) Non-Potable Water System

$12,276,517

Eastern Municipal Water District

CA

Purified Water Replenishment Project

$10,000,000

Irvine Ranch Water District

CA

Syphon Reservoir Improvement Project

$12,245,625

Jurupa Community Services District

CA

Joint IEUA-JCSD Recycled Water Intertie Project

$12,275,000

Las-Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority

CA

Pure Water Project Las Virgenes-Triunfo

$10,199,637

Monterey One Water

CA

Expand Pure Water Monterey Groundwater Replenishment Project

$10,316,822

City of Morro Bay

CA

Water Reclamation Facility Project

$9,310,095

City of Oceanside

CA

Pure Water Oceanside Program

$9,941,533

Olivenhain Municipal Water District

CA

North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition Regional Recycled Water Program: 2020 Project

$17,826,952

Padre Dam Municipal Water District

CA

East County Advanced Water Purification Program Phase 2

$28,300,000

City of Palo Alto

CA

City of Palo Alto Advanced Water Purification System

$12,867,875

City of Pismo Beach

CA

Central Coast Blue

$14,124,000

Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District

CA

Harvest Water Program

$24,115,808

City of San Buenaventura

CA

Ventura Water Pure Program

$14,026,650

Santa Margarita Water District

CA

San Juan Watershed Project

$7,928,615

Sonoma County Water Agency

CA

North Bay Reuse Program: Phase 2 Program

$6,934,655

Soquel Creek Water District

CA

Pure Water Soquel: Groundwater Replenishment and Seawater Intrusion Prevention Project

$20,925,000

Water Replenishment District of Southern California

CA

Groundwater Reliability Improvement Program Recycled Water Project

$15,478,307

County of Maui

HI

Lahaina Water Recycling Project #3: West Maui Recycled Water Expansion

$1,080,244

City of Nampa

ID

City of Nampa Recycled Water Program

$3,000,000

El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board

TX

Advanced Water Purification Facility

$20,000,000

Weber Basin Water Conservancy District

UT

Tertiary Treatment Facility in Central Weber

$14,300,000

City of Cheney

WA

Cheney Purple Pipe Project

$5,445,750

The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture co-lead the Drought Resilience Interagency Working Group and recently released their Drought Resilience 2022 Year One Summary Report.

More information, including details about other current opportunities to apply for funding available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is available on Reclamation's WaterSMART program webpage.

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