Fong Joins Groundbreaking for Friant-Kern Canal Pump Station Replacement Project, Delivering on Historic Water Infrastructure Investment

TULARE COUNTY, CA - Today, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) joined Congressman David Valadao (CA-22), the Friant Water Authority, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and local water and agricultural leaders for the groundbreaking of the Phase 1 Pump Station Replacement Project along the Friant-Kern Canal. This represents a major investment in modernizing critical water infrastructure made possible by federal funding secured in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.

"Today, we are breaking ground on a significant investment that will help keep water flowing to the farms, families and communities that power the Central Valley," said Congressman Fong. "The Friant-Kern Canal is a vital part of California's water delivery system for our communities and farms, and replacing these aging pump stations is critical to making sure water gets where it needs to go. Alongside Congressman Valadao, we fought to secure $540 million for California water projects-including $200 million directly for the Friant-Kern Canal. This is an incredible win for the San Joaquin Valley as we build the infrastructure we need today to secure our water supply for generations to come. Thank you to the President and Secretary Burgum for their focus on California's water infrastructure needs."

"As a dairy farmer, I understand water isn't just another issue for the Central Valley-it's our way of life," said Congressman Valadao. "Reliable water infrastructure supports the food we grow, the jobs we create, and the future we're building together. That's why I was proud to secure $200 million in federal funding for the Friant-Kern Canal to make these much-needed repairs which will improve water delivery reliability, maintain capacity, and strengthen resiliency for years to come. I want to thank the Friant Water Authority, Bureau of Reclamation, and our federal, state, and local leaders for their hard work to make this project possible. I look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure the Central Valley has the water resources needed to support our farms, families, and communities."

This groundbreaking was made possible thanks to the $540 million investment in California water infrastructure in the Working Families Tax Cut. That funding included $200 million for the Friant-Kern Canal Middle Reach Capacity Correction Project. The funding also included $235 million for the Delta-Mendota Canal Subsidence Correction project, $50 million for the San Luis Canal, $15 million for the Tehama-Colusa Canal, and $40 million toward the Shasta Dam and Reservoir enlargement project.

Phase 1 of the Pump Station Replacement Project will replace five aging pump stations essential for reliable water deliveries within the Friant Water Authority service area. It is the first of two phases that will ultimately replace 13 aging pump stations along a portion of the Friant-Kern Canal where land subsidence has caused canal capacity constraints.

When fully complete, the project will improve long-term operational reliability and efficiency, maintain existing water delivery capacity, support more than one million acres of productive farmland, benefit 30-plus irrigation districts and cities, and help deliver water to approximately 15,000 family farms.