Rep. Takano Announces $6,452,972 in Federal Funding for Western Municipal Water District

RIVERSIDE, CA - Today, Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39) announced $6,452,972 in federal funds have been awarded to Western Municipal Water District (Western Water) to support a project addressing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) near March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County. The funding, secured through FY 2022 and FY 2023 appropriations, will be used to rehabilitate aging sewer infrastructure to help prevent PFAS from entering the region's wastewater system.

"I am proud to help bring these funds to the Inland Empire," said Rep. Takano. "Californians know how precious our water resources are, and I am pleased that these federal dollars will help ensure our water supply remains safe and abundant. I will continue working in a bipartisan manner to ensure our community has the funding needed to complete projects that make a difference. Congratulations to Western Municipal Water District on their successful application and their continued work to safeguard our water resources."

The project will take place near March Air Reserve Base, where Western Water receives wastewater at its Western Water Recycling Facility, which is not designed to treat PFAS. By repairing and sealing sections of aging sewer lines on the base, the project will reduce the amount of PFAS entering the system before it reaches the treatment facility, supporting continued use of recycled water for irrigation, parks, schools, and groundwater recharge.

"This is about being proactive and making smart investments where they matter most," said Craig Miller, General Manager of Western Water. "Our facility isn't designed to treat PFAS, so the right approach is to stop it from entering the system in the first place. By improving infrastructure near March Air Reserve Base, we're protecting water quality, supporting recycled water use, and getting more value from the system we already have."

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