FEDERAL FUNDING INCREASES FOR DESALINATION PROGRAM
EMWD has received $25 million to further increase water supply reliability as part of EMWD’s Desalination Program.
Through the recently passed Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that was signed into law late last month, the federal funding support for EMWD’s Desalination Program increases from $25 million to $50 million.
The funding will be authorized over several years to fund additional infrastructure and technology that will increase local water supply availability and further reduce EMWD’s dependence on imported water supplies.
The current desalination process produces 75 gallons of fresh drinking water out of every 100 gallons of salty groundwater. The funding supports new technology that will bring that recovery rate to more than 90 percent.
EMWD is one California’s most successful agencies in securing state and federal funding for projects. In the past decade, EMWD has received more than $500 million in direct project funds, grants or low-interest loans to expand its water, wastewater and recycled water programs. This funding helps keep costs low for EMWD’s customers.
