WVWD & Rep. Norma Torres Announce $2 Million in Federal Funding for Local Infrastructure by West Valley Water District Jul 22, 2022 Member Submitted News RIALTO – During the West Valley Water District (WVWD) visit to the Association of California Water Agencies’ (ACWA) annual Washington, D.C. conference, the WVWD Board of Directors and U.S. House Representative Norma Torres (CA-35) announced $2 million in federal funding for critical WVWD infrastructure projects in Bloomington, California. “ACWA is a critical event for our industry that provides us with a major opportunity to discuss and address issues like the funding Rep. Torres secured for infrastructure upgrades in Bloomington,” said WVWD Board President Channing Hawkins. “This great news is an example of what accountable and representative government looks like. On behalf of the West Valley Water District Board of Directors, management, staff and our ratepayers, I’d like to thank Rep. Norma Torres for her hard work and commitment to revitalizing water infrastructure in underserved communities.” During their visit, WVWD Board President Hawkins and Board Director Kelvin Moore met with Rep. Torres to discuss the region’s water infrastructure needs and announce the $2 million in federal funding with Rep. Torres, who represents the Cities of Bloomington, Chino, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona and Rialto. In Bloomington, many of the water distribution mains, valves and service points are in alleyways behind homes, but over the years, businesses and people constructed fences, buildings and other items that obstruct WVWD’s ability to perform regular and emergency operations and maintenance. WVWD will use the federal funding, spearheaded by Rep. Torres, to relocate and upgrade of pipelines, install new fire hydrants and water connections and the replace of inaccessible meters and valves in Bloomington. WVWD will use the federal funds to relocate and replace over one mile of upgraded water pipes that will help meet the region’s growing water demand and reduce water loss. WVWD will also install 130 new accessible meters that will improve the quality and reliability of water services, 14 new water hydrants to strengthen our community’s ability to respond to fire emergencies and new water connections so more residents and businesses will have improved access to water services. “As West Valley Water District continues to invest in their communities to ensure water resiliency, these funds will help replace aging pipes, install fire hydrants, add new water meters, and address other crucial issues to ensure water infrastructure in Bloomington keeps residents safe and healthy,” said Rep. Torres. “I’m proud to deliver this much needed investment to the West Valley Water District and look forward to the community benefiting from these federal resources.” WVWD worked with Rep. Torres to drive the congressional effort to secure the funding as part of a spending bill, which funds schools, housing, childcare, renewable energy, biomedical research, law enforcement and other domestic programs. The federal funding for WVWD is the first in more than 15 years that fully funds a project and does not require matching ratepayer funds. This funding will also allow West Valley to reallocate more resources to towards investments in the region’s much-needed water infrastructure. ACWA, which represents more than 460 public agencies in California, promotes state and federal policy and legislation, and hosts its annual D.C. conference to provide a space for California water agencies and their staff to learn about and discuss federal policies and funding with federal lawmakers. # # # The West Valley Water District has proudly served the Southern California communities of Bloomington, Colton, Fontana, Rialto, San Bernardino, and Jurupa Valley since 1952. Through name changes and consolidation, the mission has always remained the same: to provide customers with safe, high quality, and reliable water service at a reasonable rate and in a sustainable manner. The District provides water for 83,000 customers and is overseen by a five-member, publicly-elected Board of Directors.