Democratic Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer of California recently introduced Senate legislation aimed at boosting water supplies for industrial and agricultural activities in the San Francisco Bay Area, E&ENews PM reported. The senators introduced similar legislation last session.
The bill, S. 1138, would authorize up to $38 million for water recycling projects in six communities. Six projects would be eligible for a 25% federal cost-share, while two others would have authorization levels increased.
The projects will save 2.6 billion gal per year through the installation of new piping, storage tanks and pump stations to convey the recycled water, according to the senators. The water freed up could supply nearly 25,000 households and support more than 3,500 jobs.
The bill would authorize funding for the Central Dublin Recycled Water Distribution and Retrofit Project, Petaluma Recycled Water Project, Central Redwood City Recycled Water Project, Palo Alto Recycled Water Pipeline Project, Ironhouse Sanitary District-Antioch Recycled Water Project, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District-Concord Recycled Water Project, Antioch Recycled Water Project and South Bay Advanced Recycled Water Treatment Facility.
Earlier in May, Representative George Miller (D-Calif.) introduced a companion bill in the House, H.R. 2442.
Source: E&E News PM
