City of Ventura water reclamation project to receive $14 million in grants

The City of Ventura’s planned water reuse program, VenturaWaterPure, anticipates $14 million in federal funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s (BOR) Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program.

VenturaWaterPure is among a shortlist of projects funded by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, pending Congress’ approval. This award is in addition to the combined $4.2 million that the City received from the program in 2018 and 2021.

“We are thrilled that VenturaWaterPure has been selected again for this federal funding program,” said Mayor Sofia Rubalcava. “This grant helps support our community’s need to create a local and sustainable water supply for our future generations.”

“As California works to become more drought-resilient in the face of climate change, securing sources for clean drinking water is a huge priority for the Central Coast. I’m glad that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has delivered $14 million to the City of Ventura and their VenturaWaterPure Program. With this grant award, VenturaWaterPure will be able to continue their work developing sustainable solutions to combat droughts and water shortages in the Central Coast, and provide residents consistent access to clean water,’ stated Congressman Salud Carbajal.

Through the Title XVI program, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation provides grants to communities to reclaim and reuse wastewater, impaired groundwater and surface water. Funding may be used for the planning, design or construction of water recycling and reuse projects.

The VenturaWaterPure Program is also pursuing a low-interest loan through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. This loan will also support design and construction of the program’s Advanced Water Purification Facility.

VenturaWaterPure will recover, treat, and reuse water that is currently discharged to the Santa Clara River Estuary. At a new purification facility, water will be treated using advanced technology for potable reuse. The multi-benefit program will create a new local water supply, meet legal requirements, improve water quality for Ventura customers, and deliver up to 20% of the City’s water supply.

The program remains in the design phase, with construction anticipated to begin in 2023. To learn more about the VenturaWaterPure Program, visit www.VenturaWaterPure.net.