News Release Archive

Reclamation Awards More Than $530,000 in Water Conservation Efficiency Grants

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, MP Region Public Affairs Officer, 916 978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov

For Release: October 18, 2011

The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded more than $530,000 in federal funds for the Water Conservation Field Service Grants Program during Fiscal Year 2011. With combined local cost-share contributions, more than $3.8 million in water management improvements will be implemented during the next two years. It is estimated that these projects will either conserve or better manage 145,700 acre-feet per year, contributing to the program's objectives that cover ecosystem health, water supply reliability, and water conservation. 

Projects were selected through a competitive process. Priority consideration was given to projects that address the program goals of supporting activities that promote the preparation of written water management plans and implementing activities identified in written water management plans. Reclamation awarded grants for eight projects, covering both the agricultural and urban sector. 

Grants for Fiscal Year 2011, from October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011, include: 

Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, $92,846 - The district is upgrading water measurement devices off the Truckee Canal. The district expects to conserve 1,004 acre-feet per year (AFY). The grant was awarded on September 29, 2011. 

Natomas Central Mutual Water Company, $17,000 - The district will be installing flow meters and completing a control and monitoring system expansion project at the Pullman Pumping Plant. The district expects to conserve 220 AFY and better manage 11,000 AFY. The grant was awarded on September 21, 2011. 

Solano Irrigation District, $100,000 - The district will implement a modernization and automation project at the Kilkenny Canal Headworks.  The district anticipates conserving 400 AFY and better managing 8,000 AFY. The grant was awarded on September 23, 2011. 

City of Roseville, $70,000 - The city is expanding existing commercial and multi-family toilet rebate and commercial landscape irrigation efficiency programs. The city is projected to conserve 273 AFY. The grant was awarded on September 23, 2011. 

Kern-Tulare Water District, $50,000 - The district will fund a mobile irrigation laboratory for completing farm irrigation system evaluations. The district is expecting to better manage 7,500 AFY. The grant was awarded on September 27, 2011. 

Madera Irrigation District, $100,000 - The district will install automated gate controls and monitoring and control systems for Franchi Dam and Big Main. The district expects to conserve 1,650 AFY. The grant was awarded on September 27, 2011. 

Orland Unit Water Users' Association, $50,540 - The district will use the funds to prepare a water management plan. The district anticipates better management of 100,000 AFY. The grant was awarded on September 23, 2011. 

Madera Irrigation District, $50,000 - The district will continue a program under an existing grant to implement a meter replacement program at farm turnouts. The district anticipates conserving 1,920 AFY and better managing 19,200 AFY. The grant was awarded on September 27, 2011. 

For more information on the Water Conservation Field Services Program, please contact Laurie Sharp at lsharp@usbr.gov or 916-978-5232.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.