For Immediate Release                                       Contact: Amanda Molk, 202-225-5256
March 27, 2003

Napolitano Convenes Water Recycling Hearing

The House Water and Power Subcommittee held a hearing today to investigate the role of water recycling, particularly in western states experiencing droughts like California. “As the Ranking Member of this Subcommittee, I believe it is critical for my colleagues and I to learn more about water recycling and other uses of technology. Maintaining a stable, secure water supply is crucial to a community’s ability to attract businesses and sustain its economy,” stated Napolitano.

In the 38th Congressional district, the Central Basin Municipal Water District currently operates a water recycling program. “This critical project has been an enormous investment in our area’s infrastructure, and recycled water from this project has helped meet many important industrial and municipal needs — including providing water for the Montebello Golf Course. We must continue to invest in and expand water recycling projects in southern California. These actions will reduce our dependency on other sources, allowing the Central Valley crops to flourish and protecting the fragile ecosystem of the San Francisco Bay Delta ecosystem,” noted the Congresswoman.

Witnesses from California, Texas and Arizona all testified to the enormous success of water recycling projects in their areas and the need for greater investment in such projects. General (Ret.) Eugene Habiger, President and CEO of the San Antonio Water System, said, “Reclaimed, or recycled, water is an important tool for the nation’s cities as they work to manage the water demands of a growing population. Nowhere is this more true than in Texas — where over 100 recycled water systems put recycled water to beneficial use.”

In 1992, Congress officially charged the Bureau of Reclamations with carrying out water recycling projects. To date, 27 projects have been authorized, but 18 of them are not yet fully up and running. “The snail’s pace at which the Bureau has been carrying out its congressional mandate is very worrisome. Our cities — particularly in western states — need fully functioning water recycling programs now to help them meet their water needs. I am deeply concerned that the Bureau of Reclamations is requesting so little funding for water recycling, when our witnesses clearly attest to the success of water recycling,” concluded Napolitano.

Representative Grace F. Napolitano, 38th District of California
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