Central Valley Water Solution Act
Sponsored By: Representative Gray
Introduced
Summary
Authorizes federal funding to expand groundwater banking and repair major Central Valley water infrastructure. This bill would let the Secretary of the Interior, through the Commissioner of Reclamation, fund 22 named projects for storage, recharge, recycling, and conveyance in California's Central Valley to boost drought resilience and water reliability.
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- Farmers and irrigation districts would get new and expanded groundwater banks, recharge basins, wells, pipelines, and pilot projects. Examples include planned 1,200-acre and 3,000-acre banks to test recharge and recovery rates.
- Cities and local communities could receive recycled water and aquifer storage projects and new reservoirs to support water supply and disadvantaged communities, including a proposed 82,000 acre-foot reservoir.
- System-wide conveyance and safety would be addressed with large subsidence correction and capacity-restoration projects for the Delta-Mendota Canal and the San Luis Canal/California Aqueduct, backed by multi-hundred-million dollar allocations.
- Federal agencies would coordinate with tribes and the State, must follow environmental laws, and most project funds are specified as non-reimbursable and not subject to cost sharing.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Fix major canals and intertie
This bill would fund billions to repair and reconnect major Central Valley conveyance. It would provide $830 million for the Delta‑Mendota Canal, $850 million for the San Luis Canal/California Aqueduct, $730 million for Friant‑Kern capacity fixes, $280 million for lower DMC reverse‑flow works, $25 million for upper DMC lift stations, and $800 million for the Turlock intertie. If enacted, these projects would restore conveyance capacity and improve water reliability for farmers and Central Valley Project contractors.
Arvin Edison water upgrades
This bill would provide about $236.7 million for Arvin Edison Water Storage District projects. Funds would pay for pipelines for multiple units and $174 million for recovery wells and treatment for new and more than 65 existing wells. If enacted, this would expand in‑lieu recharge, improve groundwater quality, and support conjunctive use for district customers.
Build groundwater banks and recharge
This bill would fund a set of groundwater banking and in‑lieu recharge projects. It would provide $360 million for East San Joaquin, $85 million for Westlands recharge basins, $55 million for Shafter‑Wasco, $30 million for Rancho de Kaweah, and $25 million for Pixley. If enacted, these grants would expand underground storage and improve irrigation water availability for local districts and communities.
Tracy recycled water and storage
This bill would provide $10 million to expand recycled water conveyance and $22 million to install four aquifer storage and recovery wells for the City of Tracy. If enacted, the work would boost local non‑potable supply and groundwater storage for city customers.
Westlands drinking water treatment
This bill would provide $30 million to build two reverse osmosis plants and eight high‑capacity wells in the Westlands Water District. If enacted, the work would reclaim about 20,000 acre‑feet of poor‑quality groundwater to drinking water standards for local users.
Local reservoirs for storage and flood protection
This bill would provide $23 million for the Seaborn Reservoir construction and habitat work and $1,010,000 toward the Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir project. If enacted, these projects would add local storage and provide flood protection for nearby communities.
Study and cost‑share rules for projects
This bill would fund a $1,000,000 feasibility and environmental study for lining in the Exchange Contractors area. It would also say most project funds are not reimbursable or subject to matching, but the Exchange Contractors study may be subject to cost‑sharing. If enacted, local water managers would get planning help but the study group may need to provide matching funds.
Coordination and environmental rules
This bill would require the Interior Department to coordinate with tribes, California, and local water agencies to carry out projects. It would also require funded projects to follow NEPA and other federal and state environmental and water‑quality laws. If enacted, coordination could help move projects forward but environmental reviews could add time or costs.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Gray
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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