As more San Joaquin Valley towns face wells going dry and other water crises, a new bipartisan legislative bill would make many more communities eligible for federal funds to build water infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant provides money to fix small community water supplies affected by drought, flood, wildfire, or other disasters.

The Emergency Rural Water Response Act of 2025 from Reps. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, and Chuck Edwards, R-North Carolina, increases the population limit for towns affected by water emergencies to 35,000 from 10,000.

“In the San Joaquin Valley, water emergencies don’t wait for red tape,” Costa said in a statement. “Whether it’s drought, flooding, or wildfire, every day without clean water puts lives, farms, and local economies at risk. This bill makes sure more communities can act immediately instead of waiting weeks or months to help.”

Population Cap Increase Includes Many More Valley Towns

During the heavy flooding of 2023, many looked to the town of Corcoran’s water infrastructure as Tulare Lake returned. The population cap, however, would have excluded the town of 22,000.

Water transmission line grants up to $150,000 can go to fixing breaks or leaks in water distribution lines. Water source grants up to $1 million can go to building new wells, reservoirs, transmission lines, or treatment plants.

“When Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, last year, it exposed just how vulnerable our mountain communities are to the destruction caused by natural disasters,” said Edward. “One of the most critical failures was the disruption of access to safe and reliable water – a basic necessity that became a daily struggle for many residents. This legislation will streamline emergency response efforts, improve coordination, and ensure that more rural towns receive the support they need without delay when disasters strike.”

Cities such as Mendota, Kerman, or Lemoore would also be eligible for the emergency grants.

Tom Collishaw, president of Self-Help Enterprises, said the legislation broadens the types of facilities that can be repaired using the grant.

“USDA’s emergency grant assistance has been a valuable resource for rural communities in the San Joaquin Valley, and the act recognizes that after a disaster, emergency repair and response may be needed for a variety of infrastructure types,” Collishaw said.