Bilbray Legislation Addresses San Diego Water Shortage

(Washington D.C.)- North County Congressman Brian Bilbray addressed San Diego's water shortage in Congress today as he voted to bring a new water treatment facility to treat Lake Hodges water. The Lake Hodges Water Reclamation Act, which was authored by Congressman Bilbray, seeks to treat and deliver water from Lake Hodges for consumption by San Diego area residents. Lake Hodges was identified as an impaired body of water by the California State Water Resources Control Board in 2003. The House of Representatives supported Congressman Bilbray's measure by a vote of 362 to 43.

"The development of the Lake Hodges Water Reclamation Project will benefit not only the constituents of California’s 50th Congressional District, but also all of San Diego County as it is a previously unused regional supply source for the entire county," said Congressman Bilbray. "The project will also reduce the entire region's demand for imported water."

Creation of the water treatment facility for Lake Hodges will have the effect of reducing San Diego's demand on the environmentally sensitive California Bay/Delta, and will also help California live within its 4.4 million acre-feet allocation of water from the Colorado River.

"Reducing stresses on our water supply by building new infrastructure and water quality improvement projects will alleviate a portion of San Diego's water problems," said Bilbray. "We have a responsibility to provide clean water for the people of San Diego County, and the Lake Hodges project directly supports that responsibility. I am proud that the House of Representatives supported me in this effort."

Once the Lake Hodges Water Reclamation Act has passed the Senate, it will go to the President for his signature upon which the bill will become law and work can begin on the new water treatment facilities. Congressman Bilbray is hopeful that the Senate will take quick action on this bipartisan legislation.

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