John Doolittle: “I rise in support of H.R. 3660. This bill would amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 3660. This bill would amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act of 1992 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the design, planning and construction of additional water recycling and reuse projects. This water reuse program, administered by the Bureau of Reclamation, is an important tool for western communities. At a time when few dams and storage reservoirs are being constructed in the arid West, water reuse is an ideal means of increasing the water supply in certain areas. Several of the projects authorized in this bill would use reclaimed water for groundwater recharge, industrial applications, irrigation, or municipal landscaping. Using reclaimed water for these purposes stretches potable water supplies, and reduces the demand on overdrafted groundwater aquifers and surface water supplies. This bill limits the Federal cost share for most of these reuse projects to 25 percent of the design and construction costs, and does not authorize any funds for operation and maintenance expenses.”