House Approves Dreier Legislation: The Inland Empire Regional Water Recycling Initiative

March 5 , 2007

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas, CA), House Rules Committee Ranking Republican, today praised the bipartisan passage of legislation that will provide federal support to two new water recycling projects in the Inland Empire. The Inland Empire Regional Water Recycling Initiative, H.R. 122, was approved by voice vote.

"It is imperative that we continue to approve measures preventing water supply shortages in the Western United States," Dreier said. "This recycling initiative will help meet the water needs of the Inland Empire and continue a strategic federal‑local partnership to bring a significant amount of new water supply to the region."

H.R. 122 authorizes two new water recycling projects under the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Title XVI program. When combined, the two projects will produce 100,000 acre feet of new water annually. The legislation has the support of all member agencies of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), as well as the water agencies downstream in Orange County. The IEUA produces recycled water for a variety of non‑potable purposes, such as landscape irrigation, agricultural irrigation, construction, and industrial cooling. By replacing these water‑intensive applications with high‑quality recycled water, fresh water can be conserved or used for drinking, thereby reducing the dependence on expensive imported water. Additionally, by recycling water which would otherwise be wasted and unavailable, IEUA provides that the water available goes through at least one more cycle of beneficial use before it is ultimately returned to the environment. The IEUA encompasses approximately 242 square miles and serves the cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana, Ontario, Upland, Montclair, and Rancho Cucamonga.

Dreier thanked many colleagues for their support in moving the legislation to the floor, including House Natural Resources Water and Power Subcommittee Chairwoman Grace Napolitano (D‑CA), as well as Congressmen Ken Calvert (R-CA), Gary Miller (R‑CA) and Joe Baca (D‑CA), who are all cosponsors of this legislation. He also thanked Mr. Robert DeLoach, General Manager of the Cucamonga County Water District, and Mr. Rich Atwater, CEO and General Manager of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, for their tireless work on behalf of the Inland Empire.