House Democrats seek to boost water recycling projects

June 25, 2021

Western Democrats yesterday introduced legislation aimed at boosting water recycling as their region grapples with drought.

The bill, from House Natural Resources Chairman Raúl Grijalva of Arizona and Reps. Grace Napolitano and Jared Huffman of California and Susie Lee of Nevada, would establish a new $750 million federal grant program for recycling projects.

"Southern Nevada — and the entire desert Southwest — is facing a water crisis, and solving this problem is going to take innovation," Lee said in a statement. "Wastewater recycling is the type of innovation that we need to tackle this crisis, and it's going to take a major investment."

The "Large Scale Water Recycling Project Investment Act," H.R. 4099, would set up the program within the Interior Department. It aims to boost large-scale projects that cost at least $500 million.

Lee said there are "several large-scale" recycling initiatives that are "already in the works" and "just need an extra boost to get across the finish line."

The bill is the latest in a series seeking to address the worsening drought in the West. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly half of the country is experiencing drought, with much of the West suffering from severe to exceptionally dry conditions.

Several Republicans have taken a crack at drought-related measures recently. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the ranking member on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, this week introduced S. 2185, which would authorize more than $7 billion for water projects and address a maintenance backlog at Bureau of Reclamation facilities (E&E Daily, June 24).

Similarly, several California Republicans, led by Rep. David Valadao, introduced H.R. 4018, seeking to boost deliveries of water to the state's agricultural hub (E&E Daily, June 22).

None of those bills have Democratic support so far, however, limiting their chances at advancing.

The House Democrats' water recycling bill has some support in the Senate already. Democratic Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto plans to introduce companion legislation in that chamber.

Grijalva highlighted the challenges facing the seven states, along with Mexico, that rely on the Colorado River for water, saying the region "has been in drought for more than two decades with no end in sight."

"Federal support is urgently needed to help our communities respond to more permanent drought cycles caused by climate change," he said. "That support must include federal investments in new drought-proof water supply projects like water reuse and recycling."


By:  Jeremy Jacobs
Source: E&E News