Governor Newsom has allocated $8.5 billion to enhance water resources in the state with a focus on water conservation, storage, and flood protection. In line with this strategy, the Department of Water Resources has awarded $217 million for projects to reinforce the States resilience against drought and flooding. Investment objectives include:
- Flood risk/management groundwater recharge including:
- Improved Water Supply Reliability
- Water recycling
- Water conservation/yard transformation
In addition, $71 million has been allocated to address drinking water shortages, species protection, and assist communities severely affected by drought. This includes immediate support for small counties impacted by drought, assistance for dry wells, funding for stream gages and well transducers, and direct relief grants for small-scale and historically underserved farmers. The Governor's goal is that these investments will strengthen California's ability to adapt to dry conditions which are expected to increase with climate change. Out of the 44 projects awarded by the Department of Water Resources special districts will also be recipients of funding, including Casitas Municipal Water District which will receive $3.6 million for the development of a deep extraction water well; San Lorenzo Water District was awarded $4.5 million to replace water storage tanks, increasing the district's water storage capacity from 160,000 gallons to 720,000 gallons; Zone 7 Water Agency will receive $300,000 for construction of an automated self-service recycled water station; Stockton East Valley has been awarded $12.2 million for ground water recharge; San Bernardino Valley Water District will receive $2.6 million to upgrade water efficient fixtures in homes; and, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has been awarded $30 million for the implementation of a turf replacement program.
https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/06/08/california-announces-288-million-for-drought-and-flood-projects/