Congresswoman Torres Secures $172.5 Million for Local Projects in Water Resource Development Act

October 23, 2026 Congresswoman Torres Secures $172.5 Million for Local Projects in Water Resource Development Act Legislation advancing clean water, flood protection, and infrastructure priorities across the Inland Empire Washington D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) announced that she had secured numerous wins for communities in the 35th Congressional district in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026. The bill, which recently passed the House of Representatives, includes $172.5 million in new and increased authorizations for Inland Empire water infrastructure in the 35th Congressional District. The legislation prioritizes federal assistance for local priorities submitted by Torres to improve water reliability, upgrade wastewater systems, and protect local communities from flooding. “Families should be able to trust the water coming out of their taps and know their neighborhoods are protected when severe storms hit,” said Congresswoman Torres. “As we face a Super El Niño this year, I pushed to address aging pipelines, inadequate sewer service, and flood risks across the Inland Empire. These authorizations are a major step toward delivering those improvements and supporting the infrastructure and water supplies that our growing communities need. I will continue working to get this legislation across the finish line and secure funding to turn these priorities into completed projects.” The House-passed WRDA 2026 includes: $60 million in additional authorization for San Bernardino County , increasing the existing authorization from $24 million to $84 million and expanding eligible uses to include water supply and stormwater management. A new $67.5 million authorization for San Bernardino and Riverside Counties for water and wastewater infrastructure, including water supply, distribution systems, stormwater management, and environmental restoration. $40 million in additional authorization for Fontana , increasing the existing authorization from $16 million to $56 million and expanding eligible uses to include wastewater infrastructure, stormwater management, and water supply and distribution systems. $5 million in additional authorization for the Inland Empire , increasing the existing authorization from $60 million to $65 million. Advancing Local Water and Flood Protection Priorities: In addition to securing increased funding authorizations for the Inland Empire, Torres submitted five environmental infrastructure priorities totaling more than $90.7 million. The bill’s expanded regional authorizations provide a pathway to pursue federal assistance for these projects: Arrow Route Wastewater Treatment Phase III : Extend sewer service to an underserved, unincorporated area of Fontana, reducing reliance on failing septic systems that threaten groundwater quality. Prado Regional Park Water Supply Project: Upgrade water storage, pumps, and irrigation infrastructure to maintain the park’s lake, protect natural resources, and preserve a valued community space in Chino. West State Street Storm Drain Segments IIIB and IIIC: Improve drainage capacity in Montclair and Ontario to better protect homes, businesses, and roads from severe flooding. Palo Verde Pipeline Replacement Project: Replace aging water lines in Montclair to improve water quality, reduce water loss, and strengthen water delivery and fire protection. Lytle Creek Penstock: Rehabilitate a historic pipeline serving regional water supply and hydropower infrastructure to improve safety and long-term reliability. Supporting Inland Empire Jobs Through Reliable Port Infrastructure The bill also includes funding changes to help major ports, including the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach, receive fairer, more predictable harbor maintenance funding. Nearly 40 percent of all imported U.S. consumer goods flow into these two ports and the Inland Empire, so ensuring donor ports can continue to invest in port infrastructure helps the Inland Empire workers in trucking, logistics, and manufacturing. Ensuring Local Control of San Jose Creek Near Pomona The bill would return local control of the San Jose Creek segment near Pomona to the Los Angeles County Public Works from the Army Corps of Engineers, helping the Los Angeles County Flood Control District manage the broader flood control system more efficiently. Reducing duplicative federal permitting requirements will help advance critical improvements that protect communities, revitalize and improve public safety in areas near the creek, and support water conservation. ### Print Email Share Tweet