Press Releases

WASHINGTON – This week, Rep. John Duarte (CA-13) and Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) introduced the bipartisan Water Infrastructure Modernization Act. This bill creates federal grant programs to increase investments and use of smart water technologies. 

“Working Valley families are suffering because Washington hasn’t protected our water. As a farmer, I know our dams, canals, and levees are not delivering the water we need to keep food affordable and provide high-paying jobs. The Water Infrastructure Modernization Act is a commonsense solution to getting more water to Valley families, farmers, and small businesses. By investing in our water infrastructure, we are securing a better Valley for our kids. I am proud to join both Democrats and Republicans in introducing this bill,” said Rep. John Duarte (CA-13).

“We need to attack our Western water crisis on multiple fronts. That means utilizing innovative technologies to keep our state’s water loss to a minimum,” said Rep. Gallego. “Our bipartisan bill does just that by working to increase use of smart water technologies so Arizonans across the state can use their water more efficiently.”

This bill invests $50 million to bring clean and affordable water to our families, farms, and small businesses. This bill supports community water systems, innovative technologies, and storage systems. 

“The California Association of Sanitation Agencies applauds the introduction of the Water Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2023. In California, clean water agencies are confronting an array of increasingly complex water quality challenges from climate change impacts ranging from intensifying drought conditions, rising temperatures, and atmospheric rivers. This bipartisan legislation will enhance smart water infrastructure investments and lead to improved operations management in the face of these climate challenges," Executive Director of the California Association of Sanitation Agencies Adam Link stated. "By providing a federal partner to modernize our sector we can deliver cost effective solutions to improve water quality and reduce ratepayer burdens”

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