Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

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Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the ``Water Reuse and Resiliency Act.'' This legislation would authorize $1 billion for innovative water infrastructure projects that respond to our Country's growing water needs and the historic drought facing the Western United States.

In the face of unprecedented heat and drought conditions across the Western United States, and growing water resource challenges across the entire Nation, it is critically important that we invest now to modernize and adapt our water systems for the 21st century.

The Environmental Protection Agency's Alternative Water Source Projects pilot program provides competitive grants to engineer, design, construct, and test alternative water source systems, including water recycling systems and projects that conserve, manage, reclaim, or reuse water resources.

The Water Reuse and Resiliency Act would reauthorize the EPA's Alternative Water Source Projects pilot program for five years, increase the authorization to $1 billion, and make stormwater reuse and groundwater recharge projects eligible for grant funding.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as of July 13, an estimated 89% of the Western U.S. is experiencing drought. Unfortunately, historic droughts are becoming the new normal. The impacts of drought on water availability are compounded by triple-digit temperatures, record low snowpack levels, and a growing population.

By expanding the use of alternative, non-traditional water sources, such as capturing stormwater runoff and recycling wastewater for groundwater recharge, the Water Reuse and Resiliency Act supports innovations in water treatment that can deliver a new, safe, and reliable source of water for potable use or irrigation.

I thank my co-lead, Senator Feinstein, for her tireless leadership fighting for clean water for Californians and all Americans. I also thank the cosponsors of this bill for championing this vital effort with us in the Senate.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact the ``Water Reuse and Resiliency Act'' as quickly as possible.

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