Bureau of Reclamation to fund water projects in the US

The United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) will provide about $10.6m in water recycling and reuse funding to help improve water supply in the western United States.

Seven water projects in the mid-pacific region have been selected by USBR to receive the funding.

Three of the seven cost-sharing projects are for construction works and will receive up to 25% of the funding, while another four are for feasibility studies, which will secure up to 50% of the funding.

Sonoma County Water Agency will receive $3.8m for its North Bay water reuse programme that will provide recycled water to Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties in northern California.

Under the programme, the agency will upgrade treatment processes and construct storage, pipelines and pump station facilities to distribute recycled water.

The city of San Jose will secure $2.4m for its San Jose Area water reclamation and reuse programme that will serve recycled water in Santa Clara County.

USBR will provide $4m to Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency for its Watsonville area water recycling project, also in California, which is intended to reduce over-drafting of groundwater resources and subsequent seawater intrusion.

Meanwhile, Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District/Sacramento Power Authority will receive $75,000 for the city of Sacramento recycled water project.