Legislation put forth by Reps. Adam Gray, D-Merced, and Jim Costa, D-Fresno, would provide $4.4 billion to water agencies to build out wells, repair canals, and increase conveyance.

Gray’s End California Water Crisis Package builds out water infrastructure to improve delivery and storage, according to a news release.

The package sends millions of dollars to irrigation and storage districts and cities to build or repair wells and canals.

Gray said the investment helps keep Valley farms competitive.

“A reliable water supply is essential for Valley families and our economy,” Gray said in a statement. “My End California Water Crisis Package aims to strengthen and grow California’s water infrastructure so we can maintain dependable water supplies, reduce flood risks, and responsibly manage water flow to preserve our environment while unleashing agricultural production.”

Costa said improved water infrastructure helps prepare the region for the future.

“By improving coordination, cutting through red tape, and investing in real projects on the ground, we can use all of our water tools in our toolbox to deliver more reliable water for families, farms, and communities across our state,” Costa said.

The comprehensive package consists of three bills:

• The Central Valley Water Solution Act would authorize 21 projects south of the Delta to increase regional water storage capacity.
• The Water Agency and Transparency Enhancement Review (WATER) Act would codify certain provisions of Executive Order 14181 to create interagency oversight cooperation and lower permitting barriers for California water projects.
• The Build Now Act would create a one-year enforceable timeline for certain environmental reviews for any water project that would enhance Central Valley water storage expansion and place the burden of permitting delays on the federal government, rather than applicants.

Billions of Dollars Would Go to Repair Canals

The bill authorizes funding to various entities and and include these major projects:

• $830 million to repair the 116-mile Delta-Mendota Canal caused by subsidence
• $850 million to repair the San Luis Canal and California Aqueduct caused by subsidence
• $730 million for Phase II of the Friant-Kern Canal
• $800 million to Turlock Irrigation Intertie Project to connect New Melones and Don Pedro reservoirs
• $236.7 million for various projects in the Arvin Edison Water Storage District for new pipelines, canals, and wells
• $360 million for the East San Joaquin Valley Groundwater Bank and Storage Program, increasing storage and water treatment
• $115 million to Westlands Water District for recharge basins divided amongst land purchases for recharge basins near the Coalinga Canal, the creation of reverse osmosis treatment plants, and high-capacity shallow aquifer wells

Other projects include water treatment for the city of Tracy, $25 million for reverse flow projects Upper-Delta-Mendota Canal, and $280 million for reverse flow projects for the Lower-Delta Mendota Canal.

Allison Febbo, general manager of Westlands Water District, said the projects provide “real solutions” to the water crisis.

“This pragmatic approach will cut through years of red tape and accelerate projects that will make a difference now,” Febbo said. “By moving urgently needed conveyance, groundwater recharge, and surface water storage projects from concept to construction, this package will help create a more reliable, modern water supply … .”