Padilla, Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Desalination and Safe Drinking Water

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize desalination projects and research. The Desalination Reauthorization Act would support desalination, a drought-proof water supply alternative, by providing grants for projects and research to lower its costs and reduce its environmental impacts.

The legislation would extend the programmatic approval of the Bureau of Reclamation to fund desalination projects, which would otherwise expire this year. If the programmatic approval expired, Congress would need to pass a separate bill in order to authorize each new desalination project, which could substantially delay desalination projects and increase their costs. These projects help the Southwest counter drought by bolstering local supplies, providing flexibility during water shortages, and diversifying the water supply.

"Access to safe and clean drinking water is a human right, and investments in desalination programs will help us provide drinking water to millions of Americans in need," said Senator Padilla. "Our bill will guarantee research and development of new avenues for safe, clean drinking water so that California can adapt to growing environmental pressures."

"As communities in Texas' Gulf Coast region and the Rio Grande Valley continue to face devastating drought conditions, it's crucial that we make investments in water infrastructure improvements to ensure our state has enough water to meet demands," said Senator Cornyn. "I'm proud to join Senator Padilla in introducing the Desalination Reauthorization Act, which would authorize desalination grant programs for the next year to help construct more ocean and brackish-water desalination facilities to ensure long-term water supply."

Specifically, this bill would:

• Reauthorize the Bureau of Reclamation's authority to provide grants for desalination projects, which is on track expire this year;
• Amend the programmatic approval to extend to public/private partnerships to build desalination projects;
• Direct that Reclamation cannot administratively impose a maximum funding amount that each desalination project can receive, which would allow large desalination plants to receive the full 25% federal cost-share; and
• Amend the desalination and water purification research program to advance pilot projects, which cover the gap in developing new technologies known as the "Valley of Death" between small-scale pilots that test a laboratory concept and commercially viable projects.

The Desalination Reauthorization Act is endorsed by the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), OceanWell, and South Coast Water District.

"The Association of California Water Agencies thanks Senator Padilla for his continued leadership and support for policies that will enhance our nation's water supply," said Ernie Avila, President of Association of California Water Agencies. "Desalination produces a drought proof source of high-quality drinking water that can improve water supply reliability. The bipartisan Desalination Reauthorization Act extends and enhances critical programs that will help water providers in California and the West meet community needs."

"Water scarcity is one of the defining challenges of this century, demanding bold innovation alongside proven solutions. OceanWell is grateful to Senator Padilla and Senator Cornyn for their leadership in advancing the reauthorization of the Bureau of Reclamation's desalination program. Their leadership recognizes that America's water future depends on solutions that can expand water supplies while advancing environmental stewardship, operational efficiency, and long-term water security." said Robert Bergstrom CEO of OceanWell.

"The South Coast Water District applauds Senator Alex Padilla for his leadership in introducing the Desalination Reauthorization Act, which will ensure the continued federal partnership needed to develop reliable, long-term water supplies for communities across the West," said Rick Shintaku, South Coast Water District General Manager. "The federal Desalination Construction Grant Program has been an essential source of investment for projects like the Doheny Ocean Desalination Project, helping communities strengthen their water resilience and reduce dependence on increasingly stressed imported water supplies. As the West continues to face persistent drought conditions and the historic water crisis affecting the Colorado River, investing in ocean desalination infrastructure has never been more important. Reauthorizing this program will help deliver drought-proof, locally controlled water supplies that improve reliability, strengthen regional resilience, and better prepare our communities for the challenges of a changing water future. We thank Senator Padilla for his leadership and commitment to advancing practical, forward-looking water infrastructure solutions."

Padilla has long been a strong advocate for ensuring access to safe, reliable water throughout California and across the country. Earlier this year, as severe droughts, warming temperatures, limitations on groundwater pumping, and outdated infrastructure compound California's water scarcity issues, Padilla introduced a pair of bills to help address growing water supply challenges in California and the American West. His MORE WATER Act advanced out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources by voice vote and now heads to the Senate for a full vote.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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