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Water

Rep. Grace F. Napolitano is a strong advocate for securing clean, inexpensive water supply that we can rely on even in times of drought. She has fought for increased water recycling, improved water conservation, and environmental protections for our natural sources of drinking water.

Napolitano has recently coauthored two bipartisan bills to assist with the Los Angeles County Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit from the State Regional Water Quality Control Board:

1. H.R. 2355, the Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act, would provide regulatory flexibility and affordability assistance to cities with the implementation of Clean Water Act permits. It is supported by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, and the National Association of Counties.

2. H.R. 2510, the Water Quality and Job Creation Act, provides funds to support cities in implementing the LA County MS4 permit, as well as improve water supply infrastructure to manage future droughts. The bill provides $4.85 billion in EPA grants and $20 billion in EPA loans for cities and local agencies to construct storm water projects, water recycling and reuse projects, groundwater recharge projects, and water pollution control projects.

In 2010, Napolitano introduced H.R. 4349, the Hoover Dam Power Allocation Act, which would authorize the Hoover Dam to continue operating for another 60 years and give Native American tribes and other groups new access to its power. The Hoover Dam provides electricity for 29 million people, and Lake Mead, the body of water behind the dam, is a critical source of water for millions of Californians. President Obama signed the legislative language into law on Dec. 20, 2011.

Napolitano has been a long-time champion for cleaning up local groundwater and making it safe to drink. She has helped secure more than $80 million in federal funds for the San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund, which pumps water out of the ground at several San Gabriel Valley Facilities and removes chemical contaminants potentially hazardous to human health.

Since 1999, Napolitano has worked to ensure the removal of a dangerous, 16 million-ton mass of uranium waste near the Colorado River in the town of Moab, Utah. This heap of uranium waste was leeching into the river and posed a health threat to the 38 million people in California, Nevada, Arizona, and other western states who get their water from the Colorado River. Napolitano supported increased clean-up funding which was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and to date 4.5 million tons have been safely disposed of, with cleanup estimated to be finished in 2019.

Napolitano has also opposed efforts to weaken clean water regulations. In 2011, she opposed H.R. 2018, the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act, which would have lowered national clean water standards. She believes environmental water regulations that protect human health should remain strong and our drinking water must be kept free from contamination.

Napolitano is a member and former top Democrat on the House Committee on Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Water, Power, and Oceans. She has served on the Natural Resources Committee throughout her tenure in Congress.