Rep. Bera Joins Citrus Heights Water District to Break Ground on Two New Wells to Strengthen Regional Water Reliability
From left to right: Citrus Heights Water District General Manager Hilary Straus, Regional Water Authority Executive Director Jim Peifer, Regional Water Authority Board Chair Brett Ewart, Citrus Heights Water District Board President Ray Riehle, Congressman Ami Bera, Citrus Heights Water District Board Vice President Caryl Sheehan, and Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez.
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA –– Today, Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) joined the Citrus Heights Water District and local leaders for a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction on two new groundwater wells to improve water reliability for the community and reduce reliance on Folsom Lake during dry years.
The project is supported by more than $6.6 million in external funding, including over $2 million in federal funding secured by Representative Bera.
“These new wells are more than an infrastructure upgrade—they’re a smart investment in public health and economic security,” said Representative Bera. “I was proud to help secure federal funding for this project, and I’ll continue working to support CHWD’s efforts to deliver reliable and sustainable water supply for families and businesses in Citrus Heights and beyond.”
The wells will include aquifer storage and recovery technology, a forward-thinking approach that allows CHWD to inject water underground during wet years and pump it out when needed. This flexibility not only supports CHWD customers—it contributes to the health of the region’s shared water supply and increases resilience across the Sacramento region.
“This is a regional win,” said Brett Ewart, Board Chair of the Regional Water Authority. “By investing in aquifer storage and recovery, we’re moving closer to a true regional water bank that helps balance supplies, manage costs, and strengthen our response to dry periods.”
Construction of Wells #7 and #8 is underway. Both are part of CHWD’s broader Groundwater Expansion and Reinvestment Program.
“These wells are part of CHWD’s commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable water service,” said Ray Riehle, President of the CHWD Board of Directors. “We should all be proud of this investment for our community and future generations. We’re committed to planning ahead, applying for grants, and making smart investments—so our customers always receive high-quality water. These wells represent our mission in action.”
About Citrus Heights Water District
The Citrus Heights Water District provides safe, high-quality water to over 70,000 customers in parts of Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Carmichael, and Roseville.
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