McNerney also Announces Roundtable on Water-Energy-Technology Solutions to Address California Drought
Washington – After a successful tour of Delta Diablo to highlight the importance of investing in water recycling projects to ease California’s drought crisis, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) announced that his introduced bill gained nine co-sponsors from the California House Delegation.
“Tackling California’s drought problem requires bold, forward-thinking solutions that will increase current water supplies, and this includes expanding water recycling projects,” said Rep. Jerry McNerney. “This is exactly why I am calling on Congress to take action and get these projects moving – and I’m glad to see a handful of my colleagues join me in this effort. These projects will take pressure off the Delta and use the latest technology to produce water that can be used for irrigation, agriculture, conservation, and to increase the potable water supply.”
The California Water Recycling and Drought Relief Act calls on Congress to authorize 27 regional water recycling projects that, when funded, can provide over 100,000 acre-feet of new water – enough water to meet the needs for over half a million residents. These water projects need Congressional authorization in order to compete for Title XVI construction funds through the Bureau of Reclamation.
The co-sponsors on the bill include: Reps. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Mike Thompson (CA-05), Sam Farr (CA-20), Mike Honda (CA-17), Jackie Speier (CA-14), John Garamendi (CA-03), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), and Eric Swalwell (CA-15).
“As our state faces a severe drought crisis we should be innovative and explore every option for maximizing our existing water supply, including water recycling. I am pleased to join Congressman McNerney in introducing legislation which would provide crucial federal funds for this effort and would help California maximize its voter-approved Prop 1 funds, that my colleagues and I created in the state legislature to improve our water quality, supply and infrastructure,” said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier.
Developing recycled water reduces dependence on Delta supplies. Recycled water projects like Delta Diablo in Antioch, CA improve water supply reliability, and reduce wastewater discharge into the fragile Bay-Delta environment.
Rep. McNerney also announced he will host a roundtable of technology, water, and agriculture stakeholders to discuss new water management technologies that are energy efficient, and how these 21st Century solutions can promote greater conservation, water savings and long-term drought mitigation.
Participants in the roundtable will include Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) and other experts and stakeholders. The roundtable will take place on July 20.
“I’m convening this roundtable to discuss the different ways in which Congress and the federal government can advance technological, scientific, and energy solutions that are crucial in helping California respond to its severe drought crisis. Right now, House Republicans are offering policies from the past and lack the innovation needed to move us forward and secure our water supply for the future,” said Rep. McNerney.
List of 27 Water Recycling Projects
- Benicia recycled water project to Valero refinery
- Brentwood recycled water project
- Central Dublin recycled water distribution and retrofit project
- Central Redwood City recycled water project
- Concord recycled water project
- Contra Costa County refinery recycled water project, phase 1
- Delta Diablo recycled water project
- Delta Diablo high purity water treatment facility
- Dublin recycled water expansion project
- Fresno east central recycled water facility
- Fresno downtown recycled water distribution
- Fresno southwest recycled water distribution
- Hayward recycled water project
- Ironhouse Sanitary District Cypress recycled water project
- Ironhouse Sanitary District industrial recycled water project
- Ironhouse Sanitary District direct potable reuse project
- Pure Water Monterey A Groundwater Replenishment Project
- Mountain View recycled water project
- North Valley regional recycled water project
- Palo Alto recycled water pipeline project
- Pleasanton recycled water project
- Potable Reuse in Santa Clara County, phase 1
- San Jose Water Company recycled water project
- Sunnyvale continuous recycled water production project
- West Bay Sanitary District Recycled Water Project
- Wolfe Road recycled water project
- Yountville recycled water project
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Rep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California’s 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerney’s work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.
