WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, and Laphonza Butler (both D-Calif.) announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded over $510 million to California for drinking water and clean water infrastructure. The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as part of a $5.8 billion investment through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), one of EPA’s signature water investment programs.

Nearly half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach disadvantaged and underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure. This vital funding will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and important water bodies across the state.

“Every community should have clean, reliable water infrastructure for drinking water, sanitation, and flood mitigation, but far too many cities and towns across California lack adequate water systems,” said Senator Padilla. “This robust federal investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law builds on my goals as chair of the subcommittee responsible for clean water access to ensure we provide safe and affordable water for all Americans, including our most vulnerable communities in California.”

“The Biden-Harris administration continues to deliver historic investments in American infrastructure, and the over half a billion in grants for water upgrades across the state is a significant win for Californians,” said Senator Butler. “This bipartisan water infrastructure investment will help build out programs to improve storm drainage, replace aging pipes, and guarantee access to safe drinking water free of contaminants like PFAS.”

The EPA investment in California will fund state-run, low-interest loan programs to address critical drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure challenges across the state. EPA anticipates announcing allocations for billions of dollars in additional resources nationwide for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Replacement fund later this Spring.

Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected over $1.6 billion into water infrastructure projects across California, protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs.

A state-by-state allocation of Drinking Water and Clean Water SRF 2024 funding is available here.

Senator Padilla has long been a staunch advocate for water affordability and ensuring access to safe water throughout California and across the country. Last year, he was named Chair of the EPW Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, where he leads federal efforts to improve water resiliency and affordability efforts and oversees implementation of the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. He convened two hearings, including one focused on how rising water rates, aging infrastructure, and extreme weather events are increasing water affordability challenges for communities across the country and another examining drinking water and wastewater infrastructure challenges in Tribal communities. Last month, Padilla led 24 of his Senate colleagues in calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee to restore funding for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program for Fiscal Year 2024. Additionally, he and Representative Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49) introduced the Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Sustainability Act of 2023, bicameral legislation that would authorize $550 million for states, municipalities, water systems, and Tribal nations to implement water-efficiency upgrades and establish programs to repair leaks, especially in areas experiencing severe drought and in low-income communities.

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