Supervisor Katrina Foley Applauds Federal Funding for Water Resilience Following Roundtable with Secretary of the Interior Haaland and Congresswoman Porter

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Today, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley joined Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and U.S. Representative Katie Porter (CA-45) for a roundtable discussion at the Irvine Ranch Water Conservancy about protecting Orange County’s water supply amid a statewide megadrought. 

“Orange County is a global leader when it comes to innovative water recycling, but we still face many challenges,” said Supervisor Foley. “Droughts, floods, and sea level rise threaten our water supply. When our disadvantaged communities don’t have the same access to clean, affordable water, we must keep innovating. 

“There are fantastic opportunities in Orange County for water efficiency, groundwater recharge, and more. The County’s current focus is stormwater capture. We’ve prioritized more than 20 stormwater capture projects, which will increase our water supply while reducing flood risk. It’s a win-win.” 

Following the roundtable, Secretary Haaland and Congresswoman Porter announced over $310 million of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support water recycling, safeguard local water supplies, and help combat historic drought. Notably, $12.2 million will be allocated to the Irvine Ranch Water District for the Syphon Reservoir Improvement Project, which will increase Orange County’s recycled water supply and reduce dependence on costly imported water. 

“Thank you to Secretary Haaland and Congresswoman Porter for hearing the needs of Orange County and securing federal funding for water resilience. A key takeaway from today is partnerships with our federal, state, and fellow local governments are crucial to defending our water resources. I look forward to our continued collaboration to protect Orange County families from worsening climate impacts.” added Supervisor Foley.  

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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2021 to represent Costa Mesa, Cypress, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Stanton, the unincorporated area of Rossmoor, and portions of Buena Park and Fountain Valley. Following redistricting, the Board appointed her to additionally serve as caretaker for the future District 2, which includes the communities of Santa Ana and portions of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Orange, Tustin, and unincorporated North Tustin.   

Supervisor Foley serves on the Airport Ad Hoc Committee & Fly Friendly working group, the Sober Living Home Ad Hoc Committee, and boards of the Orange County Transportation Authority, CalOptima, Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, Law Library, Newport Bay & South Orange County Watershed Management Area Executive Committees & the Santa Ana River Flood Control Protection.