News Release Archive

Reclamation selects two water recycling and reuse projects to receive $9.5 million

Projects in California and Hawaii help communities stretch and diversify available water supplies

Media Contact: Peter Soeth, 303-445-3615, psoeth@usbr.gov

For Release: January 19, 2021

WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Reclamation is providing $9.5 million to two congressionally authorized Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse projects. This WaterSMART Program funds the planning, design, and construction of water recycling and reuse projects in partnership with local government entities.

“Title XVI projects help support community water supplies by reclaiming and reusing water,” said Reclamation Chief Engineer David Raff. “Assisting communities with these projects creates new sources of clean water, which in turn makes water supply more reliable.”

The selected projects are:

Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility Expansion Project; $8,928,442. The expansion project will increase capacity of the regional wastewater reclamation facility by 4,480 acre-feet annually. This increase will help meet expected demand and provide a more reliable water supply for the district’s customers.

County of Hawaii, Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plan R-1 Upgrade Project; $556,700. The upgrade project involves necessary improvements to the distribution system, new pipelines and expanded treatment. The project is projected to result in 2,016 acre-feet of recycled water deliveries annually, which will contribute to the resiliency of the region’s long-term water supply.

To view detailed project descriptions and to learn more about the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program, please visit www.usbr.gov/watersmart/title/. Through WaterSMART, Reclamation works cooperatively with states, tribes and local entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply reliability through investments to modernize existing infrastructure and attention to local water conflicts. Visit www.usbr.gov/watersmart to learn more.

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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.