WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) and Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) introduced two pieces of legislation, the Groundwater Technical Assistance Act and Every Drop Counts Act, to address California’s ongoing water challenges and expand water storage and groundwater recharge opportunities. These bills enhance the effectiveness of existing federal programs, which provides critical support to the Central Valley.

“As a dairy farmer and lifelong resident of the Central Valley, I know firsthand the devastating impacts of water shortages on our agricultural industry, communities, and economy,” said Congressman Valadao. “Water is the lifeblood of our region, and these pieces of legislation take essential steps to maximize water storage, recharge groundwater, and ensure California has access to this vital resource. With these improvements, we can better address the challenges of drought, stabilize our water tables, and secure our water future.”

“Groundwater recharge is one of the most effective ways to build resilience against drought,” said Congressman Costa. “These bipartisan bills build on the success of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by leveraging federal resources for groundwater recharge projects that provide long-term solutions to safeguard the San Joaquin Valley from the impacts of extreme drought.”

Supporting organizations for the Groundwater Technical Assistance Act include: Tulare Irrigation District, Kern Fan Groundwater Project (Irvine Ranch Water District and Rosedale-Bravo Water Storage District, and Self-Help Enterprises.

Supporting organizations for the Every Drop Counts Act include: Friant Water Authority, Kern Fan Groundwater Storage Project (Irvine Ranch Water District and Rosedale-Bravo Water Storage District), Idaho Water Resource Board, San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors, Tulare Irrigation District, and Self-Help Enterprises.

The Groundwater Technical Assistance Act will:

• Provide funding to an authorization under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that allows the Bureau of Reclamation to provide technical and financial assistance for groundwater recharge projects. This includes aquifer storage and recovery projects, or water source substitution for aquifer protection projects.
• Grants the Bureau of Reclamation greater flexibility to address groundwater recharge needs without requiring new spending.

The Every Drop Counts Act will:

• Modify the Small Storage Program to increase the size cap for groundwater recharge projects.
• Provide additional eligibility criteria to ensure more groundwater projects can apply for funding and are incentivized to recharge depleted aquifers.

Read the full text of the Groundwater Technical Assistance Act here.

Read the full text of the Every Drop Counts Act here.

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