As climate change progresses, the need for sustainable water solutions and infrastructure in Santa Clara County has become more urgent. Rising construction costs driven by inflation are impacting projects related to water supply, flood protection and environmental stewardship. Valley Water is committed to partnering with stakeholders to ease the financial pressure on ratepayers. To help achieve this, Valley Water leaders visit Washington, D.C. twice a year to push for important water infrastructure projects and to request federal funding.
During our visit in November 2024, Valley Water representatives engaged with multiple agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Securing funding from these agencies would greatly enhance projects focused on disaster preparedness, water supply reliability and the restoration of habitats and watersheds.
We advocate for federal funding to support essential upgrades and maintenance of our infrastructure, which are necessary for ensuring a safe and reliable water supply. Investing in modernized systems enhances the efficiency of water distribution and reduces the risk of service disruptions and costly emergency repairs.
The Valley Water delegation also met with our region’s congressional delegation and several other key lawmakers. We provided updates on the funding requirements for critical projects, including the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project, the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project and the Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project.
Our agency is committed to exploring federal grant programs and options at the state and local levels to help lessen ratepayers’ costs. Funding for water projects is important to keep our services sustainable and affordable for the communities served by Valley Water.
Valley Water looks forward to working with the new Congress and administration to form partnerships that support our goals. We will continue collaborating with our existing allies in federal agencies and the Santa Clara County congressional delegation to secure federal support for Valley Water projects and programs.