The city of Ventura has been awarded an additional $30 million under its WaterSMART large-scale water recycling program to support the VenturaWaterPure project.
Ventura won the grant following a national competitive solicitation process from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR).
“Securing our water future goes beyond infrastructure; it’s about investing in our community’s resilience and prosperity in the face of environmental unpredictability,” said Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder.
“The USBR funding is vital to the city’s long-term goal of drought-proofing our region,” he said. “It offers much-needed support amidst inflation and rising costs.
“The assistance will contribute to our mission to deliver affordable, safe, and reliable water to our ratepayers while staying dedicated to environmental stewardship and ensuring a resilient water supply for all Ventura residents.”
USBR Commissioner Camille Touton and Sen. Alex Padilla announced the award in a ceremony alongside the Metropolitan Water District, Pure Water Southern California, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. These agencies received $159 million funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
VenturaWaterPure joins the many communities throughout California and globally in delivering purified recycled water, including San Diego, Monterey, Pismo Beach, and Orange County, which has operated a potable reuse facility for the last 40 years.
VenturaWaterPure is a multi-benefit program that will recover, treat and reuse water currently discharged into the Santa Clara River Estuary, the city said.
This will create a new, local, drought-resilient water source that meets legal and regulatory requirements and is resilient to changing climate conditions. the city said.
“VenturaWaterPure is expected to deliver up to 20% of the city’s annual demand when fully operational,” said Gina Dorrington, Ventura Water general manager.
“We are honored to receive this grant alongside leading water and wastewater agencies,” she said. “This support allows us to continue progressing and delivering drought-resilient water supply.”
In addition to the recent $30 million grant, the program has received $18 million in funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and a $173 million low-interest loan from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“Grants like this are crucial in helping offset project costs, ensuring the successful implementation of VenturaWaterPure while minimizing the financial impact on local Ventura Water ratepayers,” said Ventura City Manager Bill Ayub.
“The city remains committed to exploring all options, including pursuing outside funding and identifying cost-saving opportunities throughout the design and construction phases of the project,” he said.
The history of the VenturaWaterPure Program began over two decades ago with a legal settlement with Heal the Bay and Ventura Coastkeeper – Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation in 2012.
VenturaWaterPure Program also supports compliance with federal and state regulations to divert wastewater discharges away from the Santa Clara River Estuary, restoring the area’s natural hydrology and environment, protecting endangered species by reintroducing natural habitats and preserving coastal ecosystems.
Learn more about the history, benefits, and environmental partners of this program at VenturaWaterPure.net