part of America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (WRDA). Rep. Denham’s New WATER Act now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed into law.“My New WATER Act will allow us to leverage non-federal investments and finance the construction of new water storage in California for the first time in decades,” said Rep. Denham. “This is real progress that will benefit our community for generations to come.”
The New WATER Act provides financing for water projects throughout the western United States, including new reservoirs, below ground storage projects, recycling and desalination projects. Rep. Denham’s provision in the WRDA bill authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to finance Bureau of Reclamation projects under the Water Infrastructure and Innovation Act program and sets a one-year deadline for execution.
Additional Denham language included in WRDA will significantly enhance flood protection in San Joaquin County by authorizing long-delayed and badly needed flood control protection efforts for more than 50,000 Valley residents and a number of critical infrastructure facilities. Rep. Denham also included language to expedite the feasibility study of Reclamation District 17, which includes the French Camp veterans treatment facility. The project will result in an estimated 84 percent reduction in expected annual property damage while enhancing security at 262 critical infrastructure sites, 12 of which are considered essential to life safety.
For more information about what Rep. Denham is doing to secure water storage for the Central Valley and fight the Sacramento water grab, visit Denham.house.gov/water.
Source: Congressman Jeff Denham