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Press Release

Rep. Bera Secures $8.8 Million for Four Sacramento County Water Projects in House Appropriations Package

Funding will support increased access to a safe and reliable water supply

Washington, DC, July 20, 2022
Today, Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-07) announced that he secured $8.8 million for four Sacramento-area projects intended to bolster our region's access to a safe and reliable water supply.

"The Sacramento region continues to experience an historic drought but because we are situated between two rivers, we also face a severe flood risk if a major storm comes through the region. We need to be prepared to protect Sacramento County families and our small businesses from both situations," said Representative Bera. "I'm proud to announce through the House Appropriations Committee's Community Project Funding process, I've secured $8.8 million for four Sacramento-area water resources projects that will provide our community with increased access to safe and reliable water supplies during both dry and flooding periods. I will continue to fight to ensure that these funds get signed into law."

The following projects championed by Rep. Bera were included as Community Project Funding requests in the House Energy and Water Development, and Interior-Environment Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations bills, which passed the House of Representatives today:

Project Sponsor: Carmichael Water District
Project Name: Carmichael Water District Aquifer Storage and Recharge Well #2
Project Location: 4501 Ladera Way, Carmichael, CA 95608
Funding Amount: $2,500,000
Explanation: The funding would be used to construct an aquifer storage and recharge (ASR) groundwater well that would meet current engineering and drinking water standards. The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would allow the water district to better manage both surface water and groundwater supplies and would provide a consistent and reliable water supply to the community of Carmichael.

Project Sponsor: Citrus Heights Water District
Project Name: Citrus Heights Highland Avenue Well
Project Location: 7725 Highland Avenue, Citrus Heights, CA, 95610
Funding Amount: $1,500,000
Explanation: Funding will support the design, drilling, and testing of Highland Avenue Well within the service area of the Citrus Heights Water District. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars because it will allow CHWD to forego up to 1500 AFY of its surface water supplies and allow the injection of surface water into the groundwater aquifer for storage to help preserve resources for the Sacramento region through Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) technology. In addition, it has the added benefit of possible mitigation of the migration of the tetrachloroethylene (PCE) plume found along the District's North-West border.

Project Sponsor: County of Sacramento
Project Name: Sacramento County Regional Conjunctive Use
Project Location: 10151 Florin Rd, Sacramento, CA 95826
Funding Amount: $2,800,000
Explanation: The funding would be used to construct an aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) well project and improve interconnections between the County's water system and the Cities of Folsom and Rancho Cordova. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars because the project would add an estimated 1,000 acre-feet to the County's available groundwater supply and allow water to move between systems within the County more efficiently to support each other in times of drought or emergencies.

Project Sponsor: Army of Corps Engineers (on behalf of the San Juan Water District)
Project Name: Sacramento Area, CA - Orange Vale Water Company Well #3
Project Location: 1325 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Funding Amount: $2,000,000
Explanation: The funding would be used for the planning, design, and construction of a treatment plant to support OVWC's Well #3 in Orangevale, CA. The treatment plant will remove perchlorate concentrations and meet all drinking water standards. The project is a valuable use of taxpayer dollars because it would provide access to safe municipal water and would improve and enhance San Juan Water District and OVWC's groundwater access and conjunctive use capabilities.
The House Energy and Water Development, and Interior-Environment Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations bills now head to the Senate for consideration. In total, Representative Bera secured more than $32 million to support 15 community funding project requests for the Sacramento-region in the House FY 2023 appropriations bills.

Support from Sacramento-area leaders:

"Once again, we appreciate Congressman Bera's hard work in securing this funding. The support will help Carmichael Water District rate payers in achieving overall water reliability and affordability and enhancing the vitality of our community," said Jeff Nelson, Board President, Carmichael Water District.

"The Highland Avenue Well project is a strategic investment that will give us the flexibility and ability to continue providing water in a sustainable and affordable manner. We are grateful for Congressman Bera's effort in securing this significant funding," said Caryl Sheehan, Board President, Citrus Heights Water District.

"Funding for the Sacramento County Regional Conjunctive Use program will accelerate drought relief projects, add 1,000 acre-feet to our groundwater supply, and allow water to move more efficiently so that communities can support each other during drought and other emergencies. We are thankful for this opportunity to build a more drought-resilient and sustainable water supply for our residents," said Sacramento County Executive Ann Edwards.

"The funding secured by Congressman Bera will restore groundwater as a portion of Orange Vale Water Company's reliable water supply and improve our drought resiliency. We thank the Congressman for his efforts in support of the community we serve," said Joe Duran, General Manager, Orange Vale Water Company.

"Orange Vale's Well #3 project will add a valuable new capability to increase conjunctive use, improve San Juan Wholesale's overall water supply reliability, and add more water management flexibility to our system. We add our thanks for Congressman Bera's efforts to provide the federal funding to help make this project possible," said Paul Helliker, General Manager, San Juan Water District.