-Bill would protect local waterways by providing $20 million for wastewater reuse-

Washington, DC - Working with city officials in Santa Rosa, as well as her colleagues in Washington, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) recently introduced H.R. 6059 The Santa Rosa Urban Water Reuse Act.  The legislation would provide $20 million in funding to help the City of Santa Rosa alleviate its wastewater discharge problem, without having to increase levels of discharge into the Russian River.  The funding would support the construction of a comprehensive system to protect local waterways by reusing urban wastewater.

“Faced with growing populations and aging infrastructure it is more important than ever that we embrace new technologies to alleviate the burden that local development causes on the environment,” Woolsey said.  “This program will reap long-term benefits in water conservation and alleviate the hot weather water delivery problems that have plagued the city in the past.”

Woolsey offered the free standing legislation as an amendment to the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act, which helps municipalities facilitate the development of water reuse systems and facilities.  While working to secure the funding, Woolsey was quick to express her insistence that city officials not look towards discharging wastewater into the Russian River as an alternative:

“I am concerned, however, that the city’s consultants are now looking to reverse years of progress by again looking to the Russian River to resume previous levels of discharges, and perhaps modifying water quality standards to do so,” Woolsey wrote in a letter to Santa Rosa Mayor Jane Bender.  “History has shown that pursuing increased river discharges will only ensure years of conflict with downstream communities and mounting expenses.”

Woolsey also suggested to city officials that they consider using the full capacity of the Geysers Reuse Project, which Woolsey helped secured funding for, as the city’s disposal needs continue to grow.