• $105 million is allocated for water conservation and efficiency.
• Funding supports 67 projects across 11 states.
• Aims to enhance drought resilience and climate adaptation.

August 7, 2024 — On Monday, the Department of the Interior announced an investment of nearly $105 million for 67 water conservation and efficiency projects across the United States. This funding is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and is sourced from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual appropriations. These projects aim to improve drought resilience nationwide.

Historical Funding for Water Infrastructure.

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is the largest investment in climate resilience in U.S. history. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Bureau of Reclamation will invest $8.3 billion over five years in various water infrastructure projects. This includes initiatives in rural water supply, water storage, conservation, nature-based solutions, dam safety, water purification and reuse, and desalination. Since the law’s signing in November 2021, $4.2 billion has already been allocated for 575 projects.

Quotes from Key Officials.

Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis emphasized the importance of clean, reliable water for various sectors: “Access to clean, reliable water is essential for feeding families, growing crops, sustaining wildlife, and powering agricultural businesses. Enabled by the President’s Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris administration is bringing historic resources to bear to ensure the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River Basin in the wake of severe drought and to safeguard communities across the West, by strengthening climate resilience and facilitating water conservation.”

Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton highlighted the necessity of improving water and energy efficiency: “As we work to counter the impacts of drought and climate change, we must embrace opportunities to increase water and energy efficiency wherever possible. The President’s Investing in America agenda provides the resources to expand these conservation efforts that include canal lining, meter installation, conservation incentives, and gate automation.”

Impact of the Projects.

The 67 projects are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Together, they are expected to save over 111,000 acre-feet of water annually, which is enough to supply approximately 447,000 people for a year. This builds on the $140 million announced for similar water and energy efficiency projects last year.

For a complete list of projects, visit the Bureau of Reclamation’s PDF file.  Highlights of projects in the Colorado River Basin states include:

Arizona:

• Town of Marana: Replacement of 2,543 residential water meters with advanced metering infrastructure, saving 93 acre-feet annually.

California:

• Bard Water District: Lining 1,750 feet of the Reservation Main Canal, saving 421 acre-feet annually.
• Coachella Valley Water District: Multiple conservation initiatives, including rebates and meter upgrades, saving 924 acre-feet annually.
• Cordua Irrigation District: Upgrading flow control structures, saving 5,010 acre-feet annually.
• Firebaugh Canal Water District: Lining 2.08 miles of canal and constructing a reservoir, saving 430 acre-feet annually.
• Fresno Irrigation District: SCADA system expansion and solar energy projects, improving operational efficiency.
• Hallwood Irrigation Company: Seepage prevention and flow control automation, saving 2,700 and 1,370 acre-feet annually.
• Jurupa Community Services District: Installation of 33,447 advanced meters, saving 2,206 acre-feet annually.
• City of Long Beach: Converting turf to climate-resilient alternatives, saving 3 acre-feet annually.
• Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: Appliance installation and turf replacement in disadvantaged communities, saving 232 and 6 acre-feet annually.
• Monte Vista Water District: Replacing 1,400 meters, saving 262 acre-feet annually.
• North Kern Water Storage District: Lining 1.4 miles of canal, saving 2,788 acre-feet annually.
• North Tahoe Public Utility District: Installing 2,815 advanced meters, saving 140 acre-feet annually.
• Otay Water District: Upgrading 3,749 meters, saving 259 acre-feet annually.
• Pacheco Water District: Replacing 1.1 miles of canal with pipeline, saving 114 acre-feet annually.
• Placer County Water Agency: Canal improvements and rebate programs, saving 487 acre-feet annually.
• Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency: Replacing 15,500 meters, saving 1,324 acre-feet annually.
• South Tahoe Public Utility District: Installing advanced meters, saving 3 acre-feet annually.
• Southern California Gas Company: Installing water-saving devices in low-income housing, saving 789 acre-feet annually.
• City of Stockton: Replacing 25,401 meters, saving 1,003 acre-feet annually.
• Turlock Irrigation District: Installing floating solar panels, saving 110 acre-feet annually.
• Ventura River Water District: Installing solar facilities to power pumping stations.
• Westlands Water District: Upgrading 1,603 meters, saving 4,345 acre-feet annually.
• Westside Water Authority: Replacing flow meters, saving 3,440 acre-feet annually.

Colorado:

• Bostwick Park Conservancy District: Automating turnouts and intake structures, saving 256 acre-feet annually.
• Town of Cheraw: Installing 286 smart meters, saving 20 acre-feet annually.
• High Desert Conservation District: Piping 1.6 miles of the Lower Wilson Ditch, saving 270 acre-feet annually.
• Water Supply and Storage Company: Installing SCADA-controlled check structures, saving 1,137 acre-feet annually.

Nevada:

• Truckee-Carson Irrigation District: Upgrading gates at Lahontan Dam, saving 2,400 acre-feet annually.

Utah:

• Annabella Irrigation Canal Company: Enclosing 4,250 feet of canal, saving 1,008 acre-feet annually.
• Duchesne County Water Conservancy District: Canal rehabilitation and metering projects, saving 4,245 acre-feet annually.
• Town of Garden City: Converting 3,600 feet of canal to pipeline and installing solar panels, saving 555 acre-feet annually.
• Moon Lake Water Users Association: Canal rehabilitation, saving 4,103 acre-feet annually.
• North Creek Irrigation Company: Piping 38,655 feet of canal and installing hydroelectric units, saving 1,611 acre-feet annually.
• Smithfield Irrigation Company: Upgrading diversion structures, saving 854 acre-feet annually.
• Uintah Basin Irrigation Company: Constructing an earthen embankment dam, saving 552 acre-feet annually.
• Uintah Water Conservancy District: Diversion structure reconstruction and canal piping, saving 2,563 acre-feet annually.
• Wellsville-Mendon Conservation District: Converting 2.1 miles of canal to pipe, saving 915 acre-feet annually.
• West Cache Irrigation Company: Installing SCADA systems and measuring devices, saving 1,124 acre-feet annually.

Wyoming:

• Hanover Irrigation District: Installing a flume pipe over the Bighorn River, saving 1,475 acre-feet annually.
• Sidon Irrigation District: Converting lateral system to pipe and installing flow meters, saving 10,349 acre-feet annually.

Image via the Bureau of Reclamation news release.

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