Representative TJ Cox Secures Increased Investments for Drinking Water in House-passed Funding Bill

TJC with Grijalva at Frant Water and Climate Change Event
July 29, 2020
Press Release

Last Friday, the House passed H.R. 7608, a legislative package funding several federal programs and agencies for Fiscal Year 2021. Rep. TJ Cox (CA-21) has been fighting for Central Valley priorities and secured funding for drinking water programs that will help Valley communities get clean water. 

“The availability of safe drinking water represents deeply ingrained inequity in the Valley, and it’s time that it comes to an end,” said Rep. TJ Cox. “My constituents’ health and safety are my top priority, and a lack of clean, safe drinking water is a risk to public health. That’s why I have been fighting hard to increase federal investments in the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds, as well as other programs that provide both funding and technical assistance to underserved communities like those in my district.”

Rep. TJ Cox advocated for robust funding of the following programs that invest in our nation’s drinking water and clean water infrastructure:

 

  • $1.26 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund - the primary federal program for ensuring the safety of public drinking water—with an additional $3.86 billion in emergency spending.
    • The Fund finances improvements to community water systems to reach compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and protect public health.
  • $1.64 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund with an additional $6.36 billion in emergency spending.
  • $26 million for the EPA Safe Water for Small and Disadvantaged Communities Program
    • Plus $50 million in additional emergency spending.
    • This program provides funding assistance to help public water systems in underserved communities get their drinking water up to federal safety standards.
  • Over $28 million for EPA drinking water and wastewater technical assistance programs. 
  • Over $1.4 billion for USDA rural water programs including:  
    • Water & Sewer Loan and Grant Program - helps construct water and wastewater infrastructure through grants and loans provided at reasonable rates and terms.
    • Household Water Well System Grant Program - provides grants for individually owned household decentralized wastewater and well systems.
    • Circuit Rider Program - supplies outside technical assistance to rural water systems that are experiencing day-to-day operational, financial or managerial issues.
    • Grassroots Source Water Protection Program - prevents pollution of surface and ground water used as the primary source of drinking water by rural residents.

Reps Cox and Grijalva at a water treatment plant

In May 2019, Rep. Cox brought Representative Raúl Grijalva (AZ-3), Chair of the Natural Resources Committee, to the Central Valley to tour the Friant-Kern Canal.

Issues: 
Clean Drinking Water, Agriculture, Water Infrastructure