The Department of the Interior today announced a nearly $105 million investment as part of the President's Investing in America agenda for 67 water conservation and efficiency projects that will enhance drought resilience across the nation. The investment comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual appropriations.
President Biden's Investing in America agenda represents the largest investment in climate resilience in the nation's history and provides much-needed resources to enhance Western communities' resilience to drought and the effects of climate change. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Bureau of Reclamation is investing a total of $8.3 billion over five years for water infrastructure projects, including rural water, water storage, conservation and conveyance, nature-based solutions, dam safety, water purification and reuse, and desalination. Since the President signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in November 2021, Reclamation has announced $4.2 billion for 575 projects to date.
"Access to clean, reliable water is essential for feeding families, growing crops, sustaining wildlife, and powering agricultural businesses," said Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis. "Enabled by the President's Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris administration is bringing historic resources to bear to ensure the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River Basin in the wake of severe drought and to safeguard communities across the West, by strengthening climate resilience and facilitating water conservation."
"As we work to counter the impacts of drought and climate change, we must embrace opportunities to increase water and energy efficiency wherever possible," said Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. "The President's Investing in America agenda provides the resources to expand these conservation efforts that include canal lining, meter installation, conservation incentives, and gate automation."
Reclamation anticipates that the projects, located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Wyoming, will save more than 111,000 acre-feet of water annually. That's enough water to supply approximately 447,000 people for a year. This builds upon $140 million announced for water and energy efficiency projects last year. The complete list of projects can be found on Reclamation's website.
