SAN FRANCISCO — California will receive about $440 million for water and wastewater projects under the economic stimulus program (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) signed into law in February, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced in a May 21 press release.

Laura Yoshii, acting regional EPA administrator for the Pacific Southwest, said the funds will give the state an “unprecedented” opportunity to finance many overdue water projects, the release said.

The funds are earmarked for the state’s two revolving loan funds for water projects, according to EPA. Shovel-ready projects have been identified by the State Water Board, its chairman, Charlie Hoppin, was quoted as saying. He said that normally the state would handle about $250 million annual for water-related revolving loans, and the additional federal funds will be put to good use quickly.

A wide variety of projects are expected to benefit, from $8,000 to install water meters in the Adams Springs Water District in Lake County to $22 million for a similar, larger project in the city of Sacramento, the San Francisco Chronicle reported May 22.

The Chronicle quoted state and federal officials as saying the new money “is expected to spur hundreds of new water infrastructure projects as well as jump-start those stalled by California's budget disaster.” State leaders are currently puzzling over how to close a massive budget gap following the rejection by voters of budget-related ballot measures.

The state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which will receive $280 million of the stimulus funds, provides low-interest loans for projects involving wastewater treatment, non-point pollution control, and watershed and estuary management. It’s administered by California’s Water Resources Control Board.

The approximately $159 million that remains is to be used in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, administered by the state Department of Public Health, to finance drinking water infrastructure improvements, especially in small and disadvantaged communities.

California’s $440 million is part of $6 billion appropriated nationwide for water projects under the stimulus program.

To read the full EPA press release on California, click here.

To read the full San Francisco Chronicle article, click here.

For related information, click here.