LA County and Ventura regions awarded state funding to address drought impacts

California Construction News staff writer

Nearly $4 million in funding has been awarded to Greater Los Angeles County Region, Watersheds Coalition of Ventura County Region and the Upper Santa Clara River Region for water resiliency projects.

The state’s integrated regional water management program provides grant funding for water resource planning, implementation, and disadvantaged community involvement.

“This type of funding is critical to ensuring that all Los Angeles County residents have access to safe, clean, and reliable water resources,” said Director of Los Angeles County Public Works Mark Pestrella. “Projects funded by the drought relief program include improvements to flood control and water quality infrastructure, upgrades to water main and treatment systems, well rehabilitations, and updated data gathering technology.”

The urban and multibenefit drought relief grant program was given $200 million to assist communities facing the loss or contamination of their water supplies due to drought, address immediate drought impacts and protect fish and wildlife resources.

Fourteen of the 20 projects are in disadvantaged communities and Tribes.

Drought relief projects across the funding regions can expect to begin integrating the grant funds as early as May 2023. For more information on the Drought Relief Grants process visit https://water.ca.gov/Water-Basics/Drought/Urban-Multi-Benefit-Drought.