Last week, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-31) led the Inland Empire’s congressional delegation to support the Inland Empire Utilities Agency’s application for a $5 million grant to help fund its sustainable water initiative.

“As California faces increasing challenges from this historic drought, we need to be more thoughtful about how we use and conserve our water,” said Rep. Aguilar. He continued, “This project will help protect our region’s groundwater supply and will reduce our reliance on imported water.  I’m pleased to have worked to help make this important project successful.”

The grant, awarded by the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse program (the U.S. Department of Interior’s sustainable water initiative), will help the Inland Empire Utilities Agency to create an additional 10,600 acre-feet per year of treated drinkable water and improve the quality of ground and surface water in the region. It will provide additional funds for the Chino Desalter Phase 3 Expansion of the Lower Chino Dairy Area Desalination and Reclamation Project. Rep. Aguilar led the Inland Empire congressional delegation with support from Reps. Paul Cook, Norma Torres, Judy Chu, and Ed Royce. Their letter of support can be read here. Additional information surrounding the grant and the Inland Empire Utilities Agency’s projects can found here.