Bill aims to preserve funding for key solution to Colorado River drought
Summary
Rep. Susie Lee (D‑Nev.) and Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R‑Ariz.) introduced the Large‑Scale Water Recycling Reauthorisation Act to reauthorise a federal grant programme set to expire in 2026. The bill does not add fresh appropriations but would allow the Bureau of Reclamation to allocate about $125 million in unused funds and extend the programme through 2031, preserving federal support for large water‑recycling initiatives such as Pure Water Southern California. The move aims to shield the programme from federal spending cuts that could undermine regional drought responses.
Key Points
- The bill reauthorises the Large‑Scale Water Recycling grant programme and extends its authority to 2031.
- It lets the Bureau of Reclamation tap approximately $125 million in unused funds; it does not create new funding.
- Grant support has helped projects like Pure Water Southern California, expected to produce about 150 million gallons per day that would otherwise be discharged to the Pacific.
- The Southern Nevada Water Authority authorised up to $750 million to participate in the California project, likely in exchange for additional water draws from Lake Mead.
- Nevada already reuses roughly 85 per cent of its wastewater — far higher than most basin states — but recycling projects are expensive, sometimes costing up to $2,000 of federal dollars per acre‑foot saved.
- Federal grants are critical to making large recycling projects financially feasible and to building regional resilience amid Colorado River shortages.
Content Summary
The article outlines the new bipartisan bill and situates it within Rep. Susie Lee’s earlier work to fold a 2021 proposal into the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It explains how the Bureau of Reclamation’s programme has already funded projects in California and Utah and why preserving authorisation — even without additional appropriations — matters right now.
Officials quoted in the piece stress the high upfront cost of water recycling and the importance of federal participation to get large‑scale projects off the ground. The story also links the issue to broader Colorado River negotiations and Lake Mead’s precarious levels, showing the local stakes for Las Vegas.
Context and Relevance
As seven basin states negotiate updated operating rules and reservoirs like Lake Mead face pressure, keeping federal mechanisms that underwrite expensive but effective recycling projects is strategically important. The bill is a bipartisan attempt to preserve a tool that helps diversify supplies, reduce reliance on the river and shore up water security for Las Vegas and the wider region.
Why should I read this?
Because this isn’t just another bill — it’s one of the few levers that helps get pricey recycling projects built. If you live in Nevada or care about the Colorado River, this explains who’s trying to stop funding from being stripped and why those grants actually matter for keeping taps running. Short, sharp and relevant — worth a minute of your time.