on Sept. 17, state and local officials from Fresno, California, gathered to mark the completion of the Southeast Surface Water Treatment Facility; the facility along with several major pipeline projects form part of the Recharge Fresno program, an initiative to enable greater water sustainability through increased use of surface water and reduced groundwater pumping. The projects will help improve the capture, treatment, and delivery of water to homes and businesses.
“I am proud of our City for successfully delivering our largest-ever infrastructure program on-time and on-budget. With the Southeast Surface Water Treatment Facility and major pipeline projects now up and running, our community has a secure, drought-proof water supply.” says Mayor Lee Brand.
The Southeast Surface Water Treatment Facility currently produces 54 MGD of drinking water, and will ultimately produce 80 MGD, meeting approximately half of the city’s future water demands.
The major projects in the program were under construction for approximately two and a half years and involved more than 180 consulting firms, engineering companies, and contractors. The California State Water Resources Control Board and the U.S. EPA secured $340 million in low-interest State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans to help fund the program, saving ratepayers approximately $250 million.
"Investing in water infrastructure with our state and local partners is a priority for the EPA,” says Kristin Gullatt, Deputy Water Division Director for EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. “Federal and state funding for this project will help the City of Fresno alleviate groundwater depletion while diversifying municipal water supplies and providing high quality, safe drinking water for the community.”
The Recharge Fresno Program is managed by the City’s Department of Public Utilities. For more information, please visit www.RechargeFresno.com.
