{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3528", "Carbajal Announces Funding for Central Coast Water Projects Passed House", "2026-09-22", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "CA", "Salud O. Carbajal", "C001112", "carbajal.house.gov", "carbajal", "https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) announced the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill containing more than $66 million for Central Coast water projects. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 will now need to be considered by the Senate for final passage.\n\nClick here for legislative text and here for a summary of WRDA 2026.\u201cClimate change and population growth are straining the Central Coast\u2019s aging water infrastructure. We need strong federal investments to upgrade the water pipes, treatment plants, and sewer systems that serve our region,\u201d said Rep. Carbajal, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. \u201cNow that the House has passed the Water Resources Development Act, this bill is heading to the Senate carrying key investments I secured for our local infrastructure. I will continue working closely with my colleagues in Congress to ensure this critical legislation is signed into law and delivers for our communities.\u201d\n\nThe following projects and authorizations have been included in the committee-passed bill.\n\n$6,300,000 for the City of Lompoc. The City\u2019s projects include the modernization of the City\u2019s water treatment plant and construction of a stormwater treatment and flood control system.\n\n$30,000,000 for the Los Olivos Community Services District (LOCSD). The funding will be used for a new septic-to-sewer project. Once completed, the proposed project will collect wastewater from the LOCSD and send the waste approximately 3.5 miles to a connection point with the City of Solvang. The City of Solvang will then treat and dispose of the LOCSD\u2019s wastewater at their regional facilities.\n\n$25,000,000 for the City of Ojai. The project would replace the metal pipes that service the City\u2019s storm water collection system. These pipes are at the end of their expected life, having been in place since the early 1960s.\n\n$3,200,000 for Summerland Sanitary District to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure.\n\n$2,000,000 for the City of Solvang to improve its water and water supply infrastructure, including the distribution systems.\n\nAuthorization of the City of Morro Bay\u2019s seawall repair and harbor enhancements project.\n\nIn July 2026, Carbajal announced WRDA advanced out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Below are quotes from Central Coast leaders on the bill's advancement.\n\n\u201cThe City of Solvang is grateful for Congressman Carbajal\u2019s leadership and continued advocacy for Solvang. His support helps advance important infrastructure priorities that are essential to the long-term health, reliability, and resilience of our community,\u201d said Mayor David Brown.\n\n\u201cThe legislative language advocated by Congressman Salud Carbajal will ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lives up to its responsibility to repair and maintain breakwater, revetment, and seawall infrastructure that is vital to ensuring safe navigation and operations in Morro Bay Harbor. We appreciate Rep. Carbajal\u2019s leadership and his hard work in Washington, D.C. on behalf of Morro Bay and California,\u201d said Mayor Carla Wixom.\n\n\u201cThe Summerland Sanitary District is incredibly grateful to Congressman Carbajal for his continued advocacy for our coastal infrastructure. Securing this $3.2 million authorization in the draft WRDA bill is a vital milestone in rehabilitating our ocean outfall. This federal partnership establishes the critical pathway we need to protect our local environment and ensure reliable wastewater services for our community,\u201d said Diantha Glaser, General Manager of the Summerland Sanitary District.\n\n\u201cBuilding a sewer system to solve a problem that has persisted for more than 50 years isn't glamorous, and it certainly is not easy. We are deeply grateful to Congressman Salud Carbajal for his leadership and support in helping secure funding for this critical community infrastructure. This investment gives Los Olivos a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build the solution our community has long supported while ensuring that local decisions remain in local hands. It allows us to move forward with a project that reflects the needs and priorities of the people who live and work here,\u201d said Los Olivos Community Services District President Julie Kennedy.\n\n\u201cCongressman Carbajal\u2019s work to continue advancing the Lower Mission Creek Flood Control Project through WRDA 2026 is a very welcome shot in the arm. He has been an essential and long-time champion of the project. With construction now over 50% complete, renewed Federal investment is critical to finishing this complex and urgently needed project to protect our densely developed urban core from recurring flooding,\u201d said Santa Barbara County Public Works Director Chris Sneddon.\n\n\u201cSafety and infrastructure have been central priorities for this Council and City staff, with enhanced public participation, deferred maintenance budgeting, and focused timelines as key progress indicators. We are extremely grateful for our Federal agencies in partnering with the City of Ojai to bring our storm systems to proper order, helping to sustain a community that can remain resilient, safe, and efficient now and for decades to come,\u201d said Ojai\u2019s Mayor Andy Gilman.\n\nThe Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out critical water infrastructure projects nationwide, including flood risk reduction, ecosystem restoration and navigation improvement. WRDA is biennial legislation crafted by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. By authorizing these projects through WRDA, Congress helps unlock future federal funding.", 1, "2026-09-23T09:45:16Z", "2026-09-23T09:46:14Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://carbajal.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3528"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6224188730120659, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}