The California State Water Resources Control Board has advanced six drinking water infrastructure projects across the state, supported by $70 million in construction funding through the Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) program. The projects—ranging from new treatment facilities to system consolidations—will serve more than 22,000 residents, primarily in small and disadvantaged communities.
Recent project milestones include:
- Avenue 66 Transmission Main Project (Riverside County): Completed this week, the project connects 370 residents in three underserved communities to Coachella Valley Water District’s supply system. The effort received over $32 million in state funding, including a $23.4 million SAFER grant.
- Tombstone Territory Consolidation (Fresno County): A $5 million state-funded project, now under construction, will connect 150 residents currently reliant on private wells to the City of Sanger’s system by December 2025.
- Colfax Water Treatment Facility (Placer County): Construction has begun on a $40 million plant that will serve 3,000 people. The Placer County Water Agency received a $2.5 million SAFER grant, a $10 million zero-interest loan, and $4.5 million in expedited funding for its first consolidation.
- West Goshen Consolidation (Tulare County): A $3.4 million project, now underway, will connect 175 residents to Cal Water Visalia by early 2026. The SAFER program contributed $540,000 for technical and planning support.
- Moss Landing Consolidation (Monterey County): The $15 million project will extend the Springfield water system to reach nearly 400 residents. It is fully funded through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and is expected to be completed in 2026.
- City of Needles (San Bernardino County): A $14 million SAFER-funded project recently completed construction of a new water system, serving 5,000 residents with drinking water that meets all regulatory standards.