Stimulus for the Virtual River
Posted February 17, 2009 in U.S. Law and Policy
Today, President Obama signed a $787 billion economic stimulus package. NRDC staff worked hard to ensure that the final package includes funding for cutting edge water solutions to help California meet its needs during the current drought and prepare for the future. These solutions, including water use efficiency, wastewater recycling, urban stormwater management and improved groundwater management (which, together, we call the virtual river), can provide California with additional water supply, safe drinking water, clean beaches and healthier ecosystems.
For example, the final stimulus bill includes $126 million for wastewater recycling projects, most of which will likely be in California - the national leader in wastewater recycling. It also includes $6 billion for wastewater and drinking water programs. At least 20 percent of these funds are intended for efficiency and green infrastructure projects that can provide broad and rapid benefits in California. These funds can also help rural water systems with contaminated groundwater sources, including several in California's Southern Central Valley.
If properly spent, these stimulus funds can help revive our economy, respond to the drought and start building a smarter, greener water future for California.
