Rep. Torres Touts Securing $84+ Million in Water Resources Development
Washington, D.C. – The bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA) passed the U.S. Senate today, which now goes to President Biden to be signed into law. In the bill, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) secured authorization for federal assistance for six water development and infrastructure projects in the Inland Empire. These projects include:
- $40,700,000 for two water and wastewater infrastructure projects, including increasing the use of water recycling along Euclid Avenue and the development of an additional water treatment facility, in the city of Ontario;
- $16,000,000 for two stormwater management infrastructure projects in the city of Fontana along Cypress Avenue, Juniper Avenue, Foothill Boulevard, and Sierra Avenue; and
- $27,500,000 for a wastewater infrastructure project, as well as a study of the Rialto Channel, in the city of Rialto.
"I am delighted that the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 authorizes more than $84 million to invest in the Inland Empire's water infrastructure, creating good-paying jobs and building more resilient communities in the process," said Rep. Torres. "The six projects contained in this bill bring important federal resources and assistance to our region to promote access to clean water, reduce flooding, and address the extreme water shortages felt by our communities – something that impacts not just us in Southern California but across the nation. I look forward to President Biden swiftly signing this bill into law and working with his administration and the localities selected for funding to implement this law."
"The City of Ontario is extremely pleased to hear the news about the passage of the WRDA bill. The $40.7 million will provide Ontario with much-needed infrastructure funding for a new water treatment facility. We are grateful for the hard work Congresswoman Torres put into this effort on behalf of our residents," said Ontario Mayor Paul Leon.
"We appreciate the support of Congresswoman Torres in securing funding totaling $16 million for two critical projects. These projects will provide environmental and public safety benefits to the City of Fontana for years to come. The fact that we are now the largest city in San Bernardino County puts an even higher premium on our stormwater management infrastructure, and projects such as these will go a long way toward safeguarding our future," said Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren.
For more than 40 years, WRDA has funded water infrastructure projects in all 50 states, territories, and Tribal communities across the United States. The six projects included by Rep. Torres in WRDA 2022, as well as all other projects included in the bill, will now need to be funded by the House Appropriations Committee, on which the Congresswoman serves.
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