WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Rep. Norma Torres (CA-35) to reintroduce the Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act. This bipartisan bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide resources for nitrate and arsenic reduction, with priority given to assisting underserved communities.

“Access to clean drinking water is essential for the health and well-being of every American—especially in rural and underserved communities like the Central Valley,” said Congressman Valadao. “This bipartisan bill gives rural communities that rely on groundwater the resources they need to reduce harmful contaminants and ensure our water supply is safe. I’m proud to join Rep. Torres to help our small towns throughout the Valley fix this ongoing issue.”

“This is a public health emergency in the Inland Empire and across the country. The contamination of our water supply with nitrate and arsenic is a direct threat to the health and safety of my constituents,” said Rep. Torres. “I’m committed to securing the resources needed to address this crisis, especially for the most vulnerable—infants, pregnant women, and individuals with enzyme deficiencies. The Inland Empire, particularly former agricultural areas, faces some of the worst contamination levels in the state, and we cannot wait any longer to ensure we make clean drinking water accessible for everyone.”

Background:

Larger towns and cities tend to depend on surface water for drinking, whereas smaller, often rural, communities depend on groundwater. Historically, agricultural heavy areas have led to increased nitrate in drinking and groundwater, including many communities throughout the Central Valley. The Removing Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act aims to make additional federal resources available for small, rural communities to reach compliance with the maximum contaminant level of nitrate or arsenic under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act would:

• Amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide grants for nitrate and arsenic reduction.
• Authorize $15 million for FY26 and every fiscal year after.
• Direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a review on programs under the Safe Drinking Water Act, taking into consideration the diverse needs of underserved populations.

Current supporting organizations include: Three Valleys Municipal Water District, Coachella Valley Water District, West Valley Water District, Cucamonga Valley Water District, and Elsinore Valley.

Read the full bill here.

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