Federal Appropriations Will be Used to Fund Key Water Conservation, Recycling Projects

Washington, DC – Today, a bipartisan majority in the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water appropriations bill, legislation that includes $3.04 million for the Inland area in projects secured by Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto). The bill includes funding secured by Rep. Baca for critical water conservation, restoration, and recycling amendments, and passed the House with a 320 to 97 vote.

“Clean, safe drinking water is a right all American families deserve,” said Rep. Baca.  “The funding requests included in the legislation passed today are vital to the safety of our drinking water, and can work to significantly improve the health and well being of our Inland communities.”

The funding project requests made by Rep. Baca and secured in the FY 2010 Energy and Water appropriations bill include:

• $100,000 to the Hi Desert Water District for the Wastewater Collection and Reuse Project [requested in conjunction with Rep. Jerry Lewis];
• $100,000 to the Inland Empire Regional Water Recycling Project County [requested in conjunction with Reps. Ken Calvert, and David Drier];
• $1,000,000 to the Western Municipal Water District for the Riverside-Corona Feeder project to capture and store water [requested in conjunction with Rep. Ken Calvert]; and
• $1,000,000 to the City of San Bernardino Municipal Water Department for the establishment of the San Bernardino Basin Clean Water Factory [requested in conjunction with Rep. Jerry Lewis];
• $44,000 for the Prado Basin Ecosystem Restoration Project on the Santa Ana River; and
• $800,000 to the Western Municipal Water District for the Seven Oaks Water Conservation Project [requested in conjunction with Reps. Jerry Lewis and Ken Calvert].  

“Many families in Southern California, including my family in Rialto, are concerned about the quality and safety of the water we drink,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “This federal funding not only benefits the water quality and access for area residents, but also strengthens the long term stability and public health of the Inland Empire.  I urge the Senate to quickly pass its Energy and Water Appropriations bill, and the President to sign this vital funding into law.”