Cortez Masto, Curtis Work to Extend Water Recycling Drought Mitigation Program

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Curtis (R-Utah) introduced bipartisan legislation to extend the Large-Scale Water Recycling Project Grant Program through 2032. The Large-Scale Water Recycling Reauthorization Act continues a program that Senator Cortez Masto successfully included in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

"In the Colorado River Basin, we know all too well that water conservation is critically important," said Senator Cortez Masto. "My Large-Scale Water Recycling Project Grant Program has been a vital tool for saving water, mitigating drought, and reducing strain on Lake Mead. It's time to extend this program so it can continue providing water to homes and businesses throughout the Southwest."

"For the millions that rely upon the Colorado River Basin, water scarcity is a daily reality," said Senator Curtis. "Large-scale water recycling is one of the most effective, forward-looking tools we have to stretch limited supplies, support growing communities, and protect our environment. Extending this bipartisan program will help states like Utah and our neighbors in the West invest in reliable, innovative water solutions that strengthen our economy and secure our water future."

In the IIJA, Senator Cortez Masto included a provision to create the new Large-Scale Water Recycling Project Grant Program, which established a competitive grant program for large-scale water recycling projects with a direct spending commitment of $450 million. Water recycling is the process of treating wastewater so that it can be reused, reducing the consumptive loss of water resources. Since its creation, the grant program has directly invested over $300 million in water recycling projects, including over $125 million for the Pure Water Southern California Program, undertaken by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California in conjunction with the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). However, funding for the grant program is set to expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2026. The Large-Scale Water Recycling Reauthorization Act would extend the program for another five years.

This legislation is supported by the SNWA, the WateReuse Association, the Washington County Water Conservancy District, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House in of Representatives by Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03) and Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.-06).

The bill text can be found here.

"Large-scale water recycling projects require a level of investment that exceeds the capacity of any single community," said John Entsminger, Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager. "These federal grants provide critical funding to enable sustainable solutions that strengthen water security and build resiliency, helping ensure reliable water resources for millions of Americans."

"We are all looking for ways to reduce our reliance on the Colorado River, and Reclamation's Large-Scale Water Recycling Grant Program helps advance projects that do just that. With a required local funding match of $3 for every $1 of Reclamation funds, this federal investment can go a long way toward building a sustainable water supply for the Western United States. Metropolitan appreciates Senators Cortez Masto and Curtis for introducing this bill to help ensure communities have the water they need for decades to come," said Shivaji Deshmukh, General Manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

"The Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects Competitive Grants Program helps communities, states, and whole regions build long-term, reliable water supplies to enable population growth, support economic expansion, and protect the environment and public health," said Bruno Pigott, Executive Director of the WateReuse Association. "WateReuse applauds Senators Cortez Masto and Curtis for their leadership in ensuring that this critical program continues into the future."

"As one of the fastest-growing and driest regions, our district's investment in Washington County's Regional Reuse Purification System is fundamental to our 20-year water supply plan," said Zach Renstrom, General Manager of the Washington County Water Conservancy District. "We thank Senator Curtis and Senator Cortez Masto for their efforts to extend the Bureau of Reclamation's Large-Scale Water Recycling program to ensure that important federal funding resources remain available to help communities advance and build these large, innovative water supply projects."

Senator Cortez Masto has been a leader in the Senate working to combat drought and protect water infrastructure. She has secured millions in funding for access to clean water, drought-resistant landscaping, and water infrastructure projects in Nevada. Cortez Masto has been pushing to pass legislation to construct the Horizon Lateral Water Pipeline to provide water for over one million Nevadans. Her Help Hoover Dam Act passed both the House and the Senate this month.

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