California Reclaimed Water Act for the 21st Century

H.R. 685, the California Reclaimed Water Act for the 21st Century, would authorize the Department of the Interior to partner with local California agencies to design and build several water recycling and desalination facilities. The bill aims to increase the state’s usable water supply by converting wastewater and brackish water into clean water for irrigation, industrial use, and environmental restoration. For citizens, this legislation is intended to improve long-term water reliability and drought resilience by funding infrastructure that reduces dependence on traditional freshwater sources like the Colorado River and the Bay-Delta. Additionally, the bill supports scientific research into the public health and economic impacts of water reuse technology.