Kings County Times

Congressman David Valadao of California's 22nd district has partnered with Representative Norma Torres of California's 35th district to reintroduce the Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act. This bipartisan legislative proposal seeks to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act by making resources available specifically for the reduction of nitrate and arsenic, with an emphasis on aiding underserved communities.

"Access to clean drinking water is essential for the health and well-being of every American—especially in rural and underserved communities like the Central Valley," stated Congressman Valadao. "This bipartisan bill gives rural communities that rely on groundwater the resources they need to reduce harmful contaminants and ensure our water supply is safe. I’m proud to join Rep. Torres to help our small towns throughout the Valley fix this ongoing issue."

Rep. Torres highlighted the urgency of the matter by remarking, "This is a public health emergency in the Inland Empire and across the country. The contamination of our water supply with nitrate and arsenic is a direct threat to the health and safety of my constituents." She emphasized her dedication to securing necessary resources to combat this crisis, stressing the impact on vulnerable groups such as infants, pregnant women, and individuals with enzyme deficiencies. She added, "The Inland Empire, particularly former agricultural areas, faces some of the worst contamination levels in the state, and we cannot wait any longer to ensure we make clean drinking water accessible for everyone."

The legislation addresses the challenges faced by rural and smaller communities that depend heavily on groundwater, in contrast to larger cities which primarily use surface water sources for drinking. Historical agricultural practices in these areas have led to elevated nitrate levels in drinking water, particularly in regions like the Central Valley.

Key components of the Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act include an amendment to offer grants for the reduction of contaminants and the authorization of $15 million beginning in the fiscal year 2026 and continuing annually. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) evaluate programs under the Safe Drinking Water Act, with consideration for underserved populations' diverse requirements.

This initiative is supported by various water management entities including Three Valleys Municipal Water District, Coachella Valley Water District, West Valley Water District, Cucamonga Valley Water District, and Elsinore Valley. The full legislative proposal is available for public review.