[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 2 (Friday, January 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E15]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INLAND EMPIRE REGIONAL WATER RECYCLING INITIATIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID DREIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 4, 2007

  Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to re-introduce the Inland 
Empire Regional Water Recycling Initiative, to authorize water 
recycling projects under the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Title XVI 
program. This legislation, which passed the House in the 109th 
Congress, is an important component of southern California's regional 
water management.
  The Inland Empire Water Recycling Initiative authorizes $30 million 
for the Inland Empire Utilities Agency and the Cucamonga Valley Water 
District to assist in constructing two water recycling projects. The 
projects will produce nearly 100,000 acre-feet of new water annually to 
the area's water supply. This initiative has the support of all member 
agencies of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, which encompasses 240 
square miles in southern California. It also serves a number of cities 
I represent, including the cities of Rancho Cucamonga, Upland and 
Montclair.
  These water agencies are using high quality recycled water in many 
water intensive applications, like landscape and agricultural 
irrigation, construction, and industrial cooling. This allows fresh 
water to be conserved or used for drinking, which reduces our 
dependence on expensive imported water. In addition, by recycling water 
which would otherwise be wasted and unavailable, these agencies ensure 
that we ring the last drop of use out of water before it is ultimately 
returned to the environment.
  It is imperative that we continue to approve measures preventing 
water supply shortages in the Western United States. This recycling 
initiative will help meet the water needs of the Inland Empire and 
begin a strategic federal-local partnership to bring a significant 
amount of new water supply to the region. In fact, the Bureau of 
Reclamation has already recognized the Inland Empire Water Recycling 
Initiative as one of the most cost effective water reuse projects.
  The Inland Empire Regional Water Recycling Initiative has the support 
of all member agencies of IEUA, as well as the water agencies 
downstream in Orange County. IEUA serves the cities of Chino, Chino 
Hills, Fontana (through the Fontana Water Company), Ontario, Upland, 
Montclair, Rancho Cucamonga (through the Cucamonga Valley Water 
District), and the Monte Vista Water District.
  I look forward to working closely with the House Resources Committee, 
and with the new Water and Power Subcommittee Chairwoman Grace 
Napolitano, who is a cosponsor of this bill and has been a champion of 
regional water solutions. I am also pleased to have the continued 
support of my colleagues, Ken Calvert and Gary Miller.

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