House Approves Issa Bill Authorizing Construction of Eastern Municipal Water District Pressurization System

Press Release

House Approves Issa Bill Authorizing Construction of Eastern Municipal Water District Pressurization System

The U.S. House of Representatives, today by voice vote, adopted legislation authored by Rep. Darrell Issa to authorize the use of federal funds to construct a water pressurization system that will deliver water from Eastern Municipal Water District's reclamation plants to area residents. When constructed, the project will provide greater local protection from drought and reduce the district's need to import water.

"The area that the Eastern Municipal Water District provides water for is one of the fastest growing in the country," said Rep. Issa. "Riverside County is facing constantly increasing pressure to find new sustainable ways to meet the areas water supply needs and to accommodate future growth. It is critical that Congress supports projects like this that will lead to an increased use of reclaimed water, especially in areas such as Southern California where the threat of shortages and drought are almost always present."

H.R. 30 authorizes the appropriation of up to $12 million for the federal share of the project up to 25 percent of the total cost. The Bureau of Reclamation estimates that the project will cost $48 million and it expects the project to take 10 to 15 years to build.

H.R. 30 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

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