News Release Archive

Reclamation Awards $3.5 Million in CALFED Water Use Efficiency Grants

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916 978 5100, plucero@usbr.gov

For Release: May 04, 2012

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Bureau of Reclamation today announced the selection of $3.5 million in CALFED Water Use Efficiency grants for Fiscal Year 2012. Combined with local cost-share contributions, more than $12.5 million in water management improvement projects will be implemented during the next 24 months.

It is estimated that more than 8,025 acre-feet of water, per year, will be better managed or conserved as a result of the projects, contributing to the CALFED Bay-Delta Program objectives of improving ecosystem health, water supply reliability and water quality. California and federal agencies are partners in the 30-year program (2000-2030).

Projects were selected through a competitive process and priority consideration was given to projects that addressed CALFED goals on a statewide basis. Reclamation awarded grants to four projects across California:

Cawelo Water District, $1 million – The Calloway Canal Lining Project will line approximately 3,523 linear feet of existing earthen canal from Coffee Road to Rosedale Highway. The project will conserve 2,910 acre-feet per year.

Merced Irrigation District, $1 million – The McCoy Lateral Rehabilitation and Atwater Drain Bypass Project will create a bypass system that will help reduce operational discharges of irrigation water generated by the 1900 and Tin Flume laterals from spilling into the Atwater Drain. The project will also reline and enlarge a portion of the McCoy Lateral. The project will conserve 2,561 acre-feet per year.

Sacramento Suburban Water District, $1 million – The Sacramento Regional Residential Water Meter Installation Project is a collaborative effort between four water supply agencies in the Sacramento region, with the Sacramento Suburban Water District acting as the lead applicant. The project will install 4,021 residential water meters and enable conservation of 554 acre-feet per year.

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, $500,000 – The Sprinkler Nozzle Incentive Program provides an enhanced incentive for the installation of efficient sprinkler nozzles and encourages customers to reduce outdoor water use. This project will replace 500,000 high-water use nozzles with efficient nozzles and will conserve 2,000 acre-feet per year.

For more information on the CALFED Water Use Efficiency Program, please contact Lee Mao at 916-978-5202 or lmao@usbr.gov.

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