FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. - The Orange County Water District (OCWD) and the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) are pleased with the House Resources Committee's recent approval of H.R. 142, an amendment to the Water Recycling and Desalination Act.

The bill, authored by Congressman Gary Miller (R-CA), authorizes over $70 million in federal assistance to improve the water quality of the Santa Ana River and expand the existing groundwater desalination facilities in Chino, which will help improve water reliability for Southern California.

"Congressman Miller's legislation is critical for ensuring a reliable water supply in the Inland Empire," stated Robert Neufeld, Chino Basin Watermaster chairman. "H.R. 142 will enable the Chino Basin to clean-up historic agricultural related water quality problems."

Specifically, H.R. 142 would authorize up to $50 million, or 25 percent, of the actual construction costs to expand the Chino desalination facilities to provide more drinking water to the residents of Chino, Chino Hills, Ontario, Jurupa and Norco. Up to $20 million would go toward OCWD's expansion of its natural wetlands treatment of the Santa Ana River. OCWD has a stated goal to send all Santa Ana River flows through natural treatment wetlands to enhance the water quality of the river flows. Currently, OCWD sends 50 percent of the river flows through wetlands for nitrate removal. H.R. 142 helps fund the expansion of the wetlands for 100 percent water-quality treatment.

"The federal financial assistance from H.R. 142 will not only help drought proof the Santa Ana Watershed but will significantly enhance the water quality of the Santa Ana River," said Denis Bilodeau, OCWD board president.

"Congressmen Gary Miller and Ken Calvert have done a wonderful job of supporting the efforts to expand our local water supplies and assist in protecting the water quality of the Santa Ana River," said John Anderson, IEUA board president. "Their leadership and assistance on Congressional authorization for these very important projects will provide significant environmental benefits."