California DWR's $55 Million Investment Strengthens Water Infrastructure in Southern California
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) joined the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) and regional water agency partners in Riverside on Nov. 9 to celebrate the completion of projects under the Santa Ana River Conservation and Conjunctive Use Program, a multi-agency initiative strengthening water supply reliability and advancing sustainable water management throughout Southern California.
Through Proposition 84, DWR awarded $55 million in grant funding to SAWPA and its regional partners to support the planning, design, and construction of projects that improve water infrastructure and expand groundwater recharge and storage capabilities, while providing environmental benefits throughout the Santa Ana River watershed.
DWR's investment supported the construction of multiple water conveyance connections and pipelines, over a dozen groundwater wells, and several habitat restoration projects. The initiative brought together local water agencies throughout the San Bernardino Valley to improve the ability to capture and store up to 137,000 acre-feet of water during wet years and access those supplies during dry periods.
"As climate change contributes to longer droughts, more unreliable precipitation, and extreme weather, groundwater is critical for California's water supply," said Tom Gibson, Director of the California Department of Water Resources. "This program's collaborative approach helps communities prepare for dry conditions while building a more resilient water future for Southern California."
DWR said the completion of these projects highlights the importance of continued state and local partnerships in addressing California's water challenges, and that it remains committed to supporting regional solutions that strengthen water resilience and benefit communities throughout California.
(Source: California Department of Water Resources)
Source: California Department of Water Resources
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Santa Ana 河河道。Don Ramey Logan 摄，CC BY 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: The Santa Ana River channel. Photo by Don Ramey Logan, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
