A bipartisan bill recently offered by U.S. Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) aims to increase the use of smart water technologies around the United States via new federal grants.
“Across Utah and the West, communities face real challenges with aging water systems, drought resilience, and growing demand,” Sen. Curtis said, noting that the proposed bill would empower “local leaders to adopt next-generation technologies.”
Additionally, the bill “reflects our pioneer values of innovation, thrift, and stewardship, and puts modern tools in the hands of those closest to the land,” said the congressman.
Sen. Curtis on July 23 cosponsored the Water Infrastructure Modernization Act, S. 2388, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) to provide $50 million in grant funding for community water systems.
The grants could be used to purchase and implement new water technologies, including those that can identify water loss, examine pipe integrity, detect leaks, prepare for severe weather, innovate water storage systems, and more, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“In the West, we know that every drop of water matters,” said Sen. Gallego. “By investing in the latest technologies, we can make our water systems more efficient – saving communities water and money.”
S. 2388 has been endorsed by Phil Heck, manager of the Central Valley Water Reclamation Facility; the Association of Municipal Water Agencies; the California Association of Sanitation Agencies; and Xylem.
The bill is under consideration by the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.