Reps. Cisneros, Chu Introduce Bill to Fund Clean Drinking Water
WASHINGTON — Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-31) and Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) introduced the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund Reauthorization Act, which would remove the funding cap for the ongoing groundwater treatment by the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority, reauthorize funding at $250 million, and support the completion of the ongoing water restoration project. The San Gabriel Basin provides drinking water for over 1.5 million residents in the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County, including the cities of Azusa, Baldwin Park, City of Industry, El Monte, Irwindale, La Puente, South El Monte, and West Covina. The San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority signed on as a supporting organization.
“The San Gabriel Valley relies on the clean drinking water provided by the San Gabriel Basin,” said Rep. Gil Cisneros. “Since 2000, the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund has supported the Water Quality Authority’s work to clean and restore contaminated groundwater in our region. This legislation would remove funding hurdles and provide the support needed to bring this decades-long project across the finish line. Earlier this year, I worked with Congresswoman Chu to secure critical federal Community Project Funding for the restoration fund, and we’re committed to passing this legislation to further accelerate groundwater cleanup. Clean drinking water is a fundamental human right, and every family in the San Gabriel Valley deserves direct, affordable, protected access to it.”
“The San Gabriel Basin provides drinking water to more than 1.5 million people across our region, but it still carries contamination left behind by industries of the past,” said Rep. Judy Chu. “For decades, the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund has powered the Water Quality Authority’s work to clean up our groundwater, and this bill would provide the long-term federal support needed to finish the job. I’m proud to join Congressmember Cisneros in leading this effort, building on our work securing federal Community Project Funding for this project. Families across the San Gabriel Valley deserve a safe, reliable, and sustainable source of drinking water for generations to come.”
Full text of the bill can be found here.
Rep. Cisneros is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, and on the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations. He is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and serves on its leadership team as the Freshman Representative.
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