The East County Advanced Water Purification Program was recently awarded $778,002.75 in Title XVI grant funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. To date the program has received nearly $37 million in grant funds and applications to secure additional funding are underway. The grant money will go toward the expansion of our water recycling facilities, construction of a new Advanced Water Purification Facility, potable reuse conveyance pipelines, a water pump station and a biosolids digestion facility to offset energy demands of the project.

The Title XVI grant is part of the Bureau of Reclamation's WaterSMART Program that focuses on improving water conservation and making sound decisions about water use. "This program allows communities to diversify their water supply-exploring water reuse, recycling and other techniques while improving efficiency and flexibility during water shortages," said Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman.

The vision for the project is clear! Fi rst steps to final design and construction of the East County 
Advanced Water Purification Program took place in August with an informational event for potential designers an d co ntractors.