SPI Insights

The Department of the Interior announced a $152 million investment under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bring clean, reliable drinking water to communities across the West.

Six water storage and conveyance projects are expected to develop at least 1.7 million acre-feet of additional water storage in California, Colorado and Washington. That will be enough water to support 6.8 million people for a year. The funding will also invest in a feasibility study that could advance water storage capacity once completed.

Some of the highest dollar funded water projects include:

• North of Delta Off Stream Storage in California: $30 million to pursue off stream storage capable for up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water in the Sacramento River system. The reservoir would utilize new and existing facilities to move water in and out of the reservoir.
• Arkansas Valley Conduit in Colorado: $100 million will fund the construction of a safe, long-term water supply for an estimated 50,000 people in 39 rural communities along the Arkansas River. The project will replace current groundwater sources contaminated with radionuclides and help communities comply with Environmental Protection Act drinking water regulations.
• B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project in California: $10 million will support the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Authority to pursue the B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project. The project will develop approximately 130,000 acre-feet of additional storage.
• Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Phase II in California: $10 million to efficiently integrate approximately 115,000 acre-feet of additional water storage. This will allow Delta water supplies to be safely diverted, stored and delivered to beneficiaries.