$55 million boost for Western water supplies announced

• $55 million in new funding announced.
• Projects to improve water management and infrastructure.
• Focus on drought resilience and climate change adaptation.

August 30, 2024 — Yesterday, the Department of the Interior announced over $55 million in new funding to enhance water supplies in Western communities. This funding is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and comes from the Inflation Reduction Act and annual appropriations.

The money will support various projects to improve water management flexibility and reliability. These projects range from developing and upgrading infrastructure to recharging aquifers and advancing water recycling and treatment. They also include innovative technologies to tackle water scarcity and constructing water supply projects for Tribes and disadvantaged communities.

Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized the importance of these investments, stating, “Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Department is making transformational investments to develop resilient water supplies that will safeguard western communities in the wake of severe drought conditions for generations to come.”

Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting, “During these hot summer months, we see the impacts of drought intensify through much of the West emphasizing the importance of implementing drought resiliency projects. The Investing in America agenda gives us the resources to help communities prepare and respond to water reliability challenges.”

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is the largest investment in climate resilience in U.S. history. It provides crucial resources to help Western communities withstand drought and climate change effects. The Inflation Reduction Act alone includes $550 million for domestic water supply projects and $4 billion specifically for water management and conservation in the Colorado River Basin and other drought-affected areas. So far, Reclamation has announced 208 drought mitigation projects and 15 domestic water supply projects, totaling $2 billion.

This new funding builds on the Department’s May announcement of $147 million to help communities prepare and respond to water reliability challenges due to drought and water scarcity.

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Image from the Bureau of Reclamation’s news release.

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