Costa, Fong partner on water infrastructure funding

CENTRAL VALLEY – A bipartisan group of seven members of Congress, including three from California, are working on legislation to update a loan program that funds critical water and wastewater infrastructure projects. 

 

Reps. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, and Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, joined together with five others on Nov. 20 to introduce the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Amendments of 2025, according to a press release. The act was first introduced in 2014 and established the WIFIA program, helping government entities apply for loans specifically for projects that would modernize water systems. 

 

“Water is the lifeblood of our Valley, therefore we must continue to invest in our water infrastructure,” Costa said in a press release. “We know that where water flows, food grows, and nowhere is that more evident than in the agricultural heartland of the San Joaquin Valley.” 

 

Costa noted in his press release that throughout 10-year periods, the Valley sees either too much water accompanied by flood conditions or too little water accompanied by drought conditions. 

 

“That is why I am proud to lead a bipartisan piece of legislation that includes my bill, the Restoring WIFIA Eligibility Act,” Costasaid. “This effort will help strengthen the tools needed to modernize our water systems and protect every drop of water possible.” 

 

Costa’s bill was introduced in April as House Resolution 3035. It would amend the 2014 act by adjusting how certain financial assistance is treated with respect to the budgeting of federal credit programs.