The United States Department of the Interior has announced an investment of $84.7 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to assist 36 communities in the West in preparing for and addressing drought-related challenges.
Through investments in creative drought resilience strategies like groundwater storage, rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge, water reuse, ion exchange treatment, and other techniques to stretch existing water supplies, the selected projects will assist in bringing clean, dependable drinking water to communities throughout the West.
Speaking on the development, Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Tanya Trujillo said “As climate change exacerbates drought impacts throughout the Western United States, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is advancing our work to invest in innovative, locally-led water infrastructure projects and provide clean, reliable water to families and communities across the country.
Read also: UNICEF decries impacts of drought on children in the Horn of Africa
“Today’s funding will assist our local partners as they work to build drought resilience and improve water security for their community.”
According to Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner, Camille Calimlim Touton, due to the West’s increasingly severe and protracted droughts, drought resilience is more crucial than ever.
She added that the investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in locally-led projects would help solidify the community’s water supplies and allow families and farmers to respond to the challenges posed by drought.
Story was adapted from U.S. Department of the Interior.
