The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced that it would provide $28.97 million in financial aid for 31 potential new water reuse and desalination projects.
The funding will help prepare feasibility studies and undertake planning efforts such as preliminary project design and environmental compliance activities.
"These projects currently under development will supplement existing freshwater supplies in urban and agricultural areas in the Western United States," said Deputy Commissioner David Palumbo. "The funding announced today will provide needed assistance to communities and entities as they undertake the development of feasibility studies and other planning necessary to facilitate project development."
The 31 projects are in California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. The projects also bring a cost-share contribution of $64.7 million, bringing the total investment of $93.7 million.
Funding for these planning and design activities is intended to assist in the development of potential new construction projects that could be carried out under the Desalination Construction Program, the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program, and the Large-Scale Water Recycling Program.
Following the announcement, Brown and Caldwell announced that it had assisted clients in identifying funding mechanisms and developing successful grant applications for the following projects:
- City of Boise Recycled Water Program – funding: $1M
The City of Boise, Idaho, will develop a feasibility study as well as other planning, preliminary design, and environmental compliance activities for the City of Boise Recycled Water Program.
- Mesa Water District, Local Groundwater Supply Improvement Project - funding: $250,000
Mesa Water District, located in Costa Mesa, California, and the only water district in Orange County to provide 100% local water, will conduct a feasibility study for a potential new brackish groundwater desalination facility that would enhance water supply in the region.
- Santa Clara Valley Water District, San Jose-Santa Clara Purified Water Program Feasibility Study – funding: $381,249
The Santa Clara Valley Water District, located near San Jose, California, will assess the feasibility of constructing a new advanced water purification facility in San Jose for potable reuse through groundwater recharge, raw water augmentation, and/or treated water augmentation.
- Santa Clara Valley Water District, South County Water Reuse Program Feasibility Study - funding: $299,180
The Santa Clara Valley Water District will assess the feasibility of implementing several treatment and pipeline reuse projects that were identified in the South County Recycled Water Master Plan.
“Water recycling and diversifying local water supply portfolios is essential in stretching the Western United States’ limited supplies,” said Seema Chavan, Brown and Caldwell's senior director of strategic funding. “We congratulate the City of Boise, Mesa Water, and Santa Clara Valley Water District for their proactive steps in supplementing existing fresh water supplies and working toward securing a resilient water future for their communities.”
