-$20 million allocated for Santa Rosa water recycling program-

 

Washington, DC - With/By a unanimous vote the House today passed H.R. 716, the Santa Rosa Urban Water Reuse Plan Act, which will provide $20 million in funding to the city of Santa Rosa.  Petaluma Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey first proposed the legislation in January and took to the floor to urge its passage:

 

“The Santa Rosa Urban Water Reuse bill is a big step in the right direction for the City of Santa Rosa,” Woolsey said.  “The City is working to find ways to reuse wastewater as an alternative to releasing the water into the Russian River.  The project is especially important in a region that remains arid for six months of the year and where droughts pose a genuine threat to humans and endangered species.”

 

The legislation provides $20 million in funding to help the City of Santa Rosa fund the construction of a comprehensive system to protect local waterways by reusing wastewater for urban landscape irrigation.  The funding will be used to construct "purple piping" to parks, median strips and residential and commercial developments.  While Woolsey supports the water reuse proposals put forth by local officials, Woolsey continues to insist that city officials not look towards discharging untreated wastewater into the Russian River, which provides drinking water to approximately 600,000 residents in three counties.”
 
“It is essential to find new ways to reuse wastewater and prevent further discharge into nearby waterways such as the Russian River.  This project will help the City of Santa Rosa make great strides in its water reuse program and give the City the opportunity to protect the Russian River, and the local residents who depend on it,” Woolsey said.

 

Santa Rosa Mayor Bob Blanchard was quick to applaud the bill’s passage and thank Woolsey for her work:

 

"I want to thank Congresswoman Woolsey for sponsoring HR 716.  This bill opens the door for the City of Santa Rosa, on behalf of its regional partners, to seek federal funding for urban reuse.  I am grateful for Congresswoman Woolsey's leadership on environmental issues as well as her responsiveness to the local community.  She is a true federal partner."