Water
Reliable water supplies are essential to public health, ecosystems, and the regional economic viability of our Valley. As a native and third-generation farmer of the San Joaquin Valley, Costa knows firsthand the challenges our farmers and farming communities face without a reliable water supply. The worsening drought crisis has human and economic impacts that we cannot wait to confront.
In Congress, Congressman Costa’s priority is to deliver water to the Valley by repairing our water infrastructure, increasing storage capacity, and improving groundwater recharge. As a member of the Natural Resources Committee, he fought on behalf of the Valley for increased water allocations, secured federal funding for Valley water projects, and fought against the flawed federal regulations that limit the water flowing to our region. He is not only focused on short-term but long-term solutions that will fix our broken water system.
Addressing the Drought Crisis
Costa worked closely with Governor Jerry Brown and state officials to declare a drought emergency in the state of California and to take actions to conserve as much water as possible and provide drought relief funding for counties across the San Joaquin Valley.
In 2013, Costa led the charge to ensure that the 340,000 acre-feet of carryover water was used for irrigated agriculture during the 2014 drought. He later brought President Obama, and federal and state officials to the San Joaquin Valley to see the impact firsthand of the drought on farming and rural communities, which authorized a $183 million aid package to support farmers and conserve water resources.
Most recently, Costa helped secure funding in the Inflation Reduction Act to tackle the drought crisis in the West, with a whopping $4 billion investment.
Improving Water Storage
Throughout his service in Congress, Costa has secured millions to repair critical water infrastructure and improve water storage capacity. Most notably, he was instrumental in enacting the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and securing over $250 million to improve water storage in the San Joaquin Valley, including:
$135 million to raise B.F. Sisk Dam, which will develop nearly 130,000 acre-feet of additional water
$92 million for the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project, which would add 115,000 acre-feet of additional water.
$30 million for the Sites Reservoir Project to pursue off-stream storage capacity of up to 1.5 million acre-feet of additional water.
$25 million for the Delta-Mendota Canal to complete a required feasibility study, which is used for permitting and design costs after completion.
$22.2 million for the Friant-Kern Canal to correct capacity constraints due to subsidence in Belmont Reach and below Orange Cove.
Aging Water Infrastructure
The Infrastructure Law is providing us with the means to repair critical water infrastructure and advance drought resilience across California. Several projects that provide water to San Joaquin Valley farmers and communities received funding to improve water storage including:
$42.53 million to refurbish the San Luis Unit 8 motor generator, turbine, and butterfly valve as part of the base of B.F. Sisk Dam.
$25 million for the planning, design, and implementation of the Delta-Mendota Canal Jones Pumping Plant Excitation Cabinet and Control Panel Refurbishment.
$8.8 million to repair aging water infrastructure and reduce flood risk at Pine Flat Lake.
$300,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make operations and maintenance repairs at Terminus Dam.
Water Conservation and Groundwater Recharge
While serving in the California State Assembly, Costa authored the San Joaquin River Conservancy in 1992, which now provides access to 5,900 acres within the 22-mile stretch of river between Friant Dam and Highway 99. To preserve the river’s biological diversity, and protect its valued cultural and natural resources.
In the State Legislature, Costa also authored the legislation to create the Kern County Water America's largest water bank. In Congress, Costa has advocated the Natural Resources for California’s wetlands, rivers, and water sources - even securing federal funding to better preserve and enhance these systems. In addition to increasing the Kaweah Reservoir's capacity by 48,000 acre-feet, improving water storage and flood protection.
Costa works closely with local water districts, farmers, and other stakeholders to gather their input on how these issues can be addressed in Washington for the better well-being of the Valley, along with securing millions for local water projects to enhance water quality and supply.
Through WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency grants, the Bureau of Reclamation provides a 50/50 cost share of funding to irrigation and water districts for projects to help conserve and use water efficiently. The following projects were awarded funding:
$2.8 million for the McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency to install a groundwater well measurement and monitoring array with a telemetrically supported data collection system to improve water management for its agricultural customers – saving 20,508 acre-feet of water annually.
$2 million for the Fresno Irrigation District to pursue the Carter-Bybee Recharge Basin project, which will help perform groundwater recharge, and capture, and store flood water supplies in Fresno County.
$379,390 for the City of Fresno to purchase, install, and program 1,500 smart irrigation timers for its residential customers for free – saving 360 acre-feet annually.
Ensuring Safe, Clean Drinking Water
Nearly 10 million American households and 400,000 schools and childcare centers don't meet the standards to be considered clean and safe drinking water. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act made the largest investment in drinking water infrastructure in American history.
Most recently, Costa secured $391 million for the state of California for essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), including projects in California’s 21st Congressional District:
$14 million for the City of Parlier to construct a water treatment system to remove Trichloropropane (TCP) from its water system.
$2.5 million for the City of Dinuba to design and install the Well 21 project, which will provide service to the west end of Dinuba.
Learn more about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law HERE.
View: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law One Pager (CA-21)
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