Every Drop Counts Act
Sponsored By: Representative Costa
In Committee
Summary
Expands grant eligibility for water storage projects under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) by adding clear size and function rules that prioritize groundwater recharge and storage. It creates two new project categories with specific capacity ranges and program limits.
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- Local water agencies and project sponsors can compete for more IIJA grants. Projects sized between 200 and 30,000 acre-feet now qualify, and projects that average 200 to 150,000 acre-feet of recharge over their lives also qualify.
- Encourages groundwater-focused work. Eligible projects include increasing aquifer storage, conveying water to or from groundwater, recovering groundwater, or stabilizing groundwater levels.
- Preserves State and Federal water law and water rights and does not authorize Federal acquisition of water. The bill also changes an administrative numeric threshold from 5 to 10 in the cited provision.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More water projects could get federal grants
If enacted, more water storage projects could apply for federal grants. One path: storage of 200 to 30,000 acre-feet that increases surface or groundwater storage, or moves water to or from those stores (directly or indirectly). Another path: average annual recharge of 200 to 150,000 acre-feet over the project life that boosts or recovers groundwater, does both, or stabilizes groundwater levels. The bill would also raise a numeric test in this grant program from 5 to 10. Project sponsors, states, local governments, and water districts would be the main applicants.
Keeps state water rights and compacts
This bill would keep State and Federal water laws, interstate compacts, and treaties in place. It would not let the federal government acquire water. It would not override or reduce any water rights.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Costa
CA • D
Cosponsors
Fulcher
ID • R
Sponsored 1/13/2025
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
CA • R
Sponsored 1/13/2025
Gray
CA • D
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/15/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 3/11/2025
Simpson
ID • R
Sponsored 7/21/2025
Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47]
CA • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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