Last Wednesday, April 15, the US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the funding as part of the wider plan to stimulate economic recovery in the country.

California is to receive $260m to expand water supplies, repair and replace ageing infrastructure and mitigate effects of the state’s ongoing drought.

$50m will be spent on diverting water from the Colarado River to supply the state of Utah.

Further funding will be available throughout the west, including grant aid for water recovery and reuse and green building projects focusing on water conservation.

“In the midst of one of the deepest economic crises in our history, Californians have been saddled with a drought that is putting tens of thousands of people out of work and devastating entire communities,” said Secretary Salazar.

“President Obama’s economic recovery plan will not only create jobs on basic water infrastructure projects, but it will help address both the short- and long-term water supply challenges the Golden State is facing.

“From boosting water supplies and improving conservation to improving safety at our dams, these shovel-ready projects will make a real and immediate difference in the lives of farmers, businesses, Native American Tribes and communities across California.”

Sam Bond

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