Rep. Carbajal and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited the construction of VenturaWaterPure.
The City of Ventura has been awarded an additional $60.4 million in federal grant funding under the Department of the Interior’s Large-Scale Water Recycling Program. This new award brings total federal investments in Ventura Water’s projects to $108 million.
The funding will support critical Ventura Water projects, including the Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Project at the City’s decades-old wastewater treatment plant and the development of the VenturaWaterPure advanced water purification facility. Once operational, these combined efforts will provide up to 20% of Ventura’s total water supply—equivalent to approximately 3,600 acre-feet annually—by recycling and purifying treated wastewater.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is protecting the Central Coast’s access to clean water for generations to come through investments like the ones announced this week. I’m proud of my work delivering this landmark law for communities like Ventura, and I am grateful for the dedication of the Biden-Harris Administration to continue rolling out these overdue investments in our infrastructure,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I will keep working in Congress to protect this law’s programs in the next Administration.”
“This funding is a game-changer for Ventura,” said Mayor Joe Schroeder. “With federal support, we’re upgrading critical infrastructure and creating a sustainable, high-quality water supply that will serve our community for generations.”
“This critical funding underscores the importance of local and federal collaboration in addressing the challenges of water scarcity,” said Ventura Water General Manager Gina Dorrington. “Ventura Water’s innovative solutions help meet legal mandates, protect the environment, and ensure long-term water reliability for our city.”
The Membrane Bioreactor Project is a key component of the upgrades at Ventura’s wastewater treatment plant, enhancing its ability to process wastewater efficiently while meeting stringent environmental standards. The VenturaWaterPure advanced purification facility will take this treated wastewater and further purify it to create a new, sustainable and drought-resilient water source for the city.
For more information about Ventura Water’s initiatives and benefits, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/venturawater.
