The San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District will receive $5.4 million in funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to capture more water and store it underground for future use

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced a $5,403,000 million grant for the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District’s (SBVWCD) Oak Creek Basins Project. This grant funding will expand SBVWCD’s ability to capture stormwater and store it underground, helping service homes, businesses and farms long after storms have passed. 

Captured water will replenish the aquifers our region depends on, so our communities have a reliable water supply even through droughts and dry seasons. The grant award for the Oak Creek Basins Project is the largest award for the Program for Expansion of Recharge Capacity (PERC) to date. 

“Access to clean, reliable water is essential for every family and business in the Inland Empire,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “I’m proud to announce this funding for the Oak Creek Basins Project, which will help capture stormwater here in the San Bernardino Valley and store it for future use. Investments like this help secure our region’s water supply and ensure that families here can use it for generations to come.”

“Some of the most important investments we make today are the ones our communities will benefit from decades down the road,” said Melody McDonald, Board President, San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District. “The Program for Expansion of Recharge Capacity (PERC) reflects years of thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and a shared belief in the future of the San Bernardino Valley. We’re grateful to Congressman Aguilar for recognizing the importance of investing in our local water supplies, and especially proud of the people whose dedication has brought us to this exciting milestone. Their work will make a lasting difference for generations to come.”

“California cannot control when the next storm arrives, but we can be ready to capture the water it brings,” Betsy Miller Vixie, General Manager, San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District. “The Oak Creek Basins project, part of our broader Program for Expansion of Recharge Capacity (PERC) will expand our ability to put that water underground, where it can support our communities long after the storm has passed. With this federal investment, we are building on more than a century of groundwater recharge experience to make better use of one of our region’s most valuable natural resources.”

This $5.4 million grant award comes from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Small Storage Program.