Congress moves forward on increasing water supplies

WASHINGTON, D.C.
March 8, 2007 1:01pm

The House of Representatives on Thursday approved a bill authored by Central Valley congressman Jerry McNerney to research alternative sources of water.

The bill, if it makes it into law, would authorize $125 million in funding for projects that increase usable water supply by encouraging innovation in water reclamation, reuse, and conservation. It provides funding for a grant program that requires a 50 percent local funding match.

(Mr. McNerney comments on the bill during an afternoon teleconference. Please click on the link below to listen or download to your iPod or PC.)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would screen applicants and also oversee how the money is spent, Mr. McNerney says.

“This bill authorizes funds to develop alternative sources of clean drinking water, as well as water for agricultural and industrial purposes,” Mr. McNerney says in written comments. “That’s an important consideration this winter in California with lower than normal rainfall totals and a Sierra snowpack just 65 percent of its normal size – sources that are essential to the state’s water supply.”

The bill passed the House on a 369-55 vote. But there are still major hurdles to clear.

One is finding a sponsor in the Senate to carry the bill through that body.

But perhaps the biggest is money.

Mr. McNerney’s bill authorizes but it does not appropriate the money. That will have to be worked out separately, especially hard under the new pay-as-you-go mindset of the House of Representatives..

“We are constrained by ‘pay-go’ so it’s going to be a tough sell,” Mr. McNerney says.

“Everyone clearly recognizes the need for clean water. It doesn’t matter where you live or what your political persuasion is,” he says.