Interior Department Invests Almost $900 Million in Water Infrastructure

Rachel Hostyk March 25, 2026


The Department of the Interior is pumping $889 million into water infrastructure across Western states ().

  • Made possible by H.R. 1legislation the 51勛圖厙 helped drivethis funding will deliver upgrades to Bureau of Reclamation projects in California, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.

The details: Followed by years of sustained advocacy by the 51勛圖厙, the government is now investing in long-overdue improvements to aging infrastructure.

  • California, the major beneficiary of this investment, will receive $540 million of the total funding to support improvements to major water conveyance systems and storage projects .
  • [T]he Delta-Mendota Canal, a 117-mile-long aqueduct in Californias Central Valley, will receive $235 million, while additional funding will go to other canals and water projects in the state.

In other states: North Dakota will get $100 million for its Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply project.

  • Utah will receive the same amount to replace the 110-year-old Highline Canal with an enclosed pipeline to improve safety and water delivery efficiency, while Wyoming will receive another $100 million to repair the Fort Laramie Tunnels.
  • Smaller amounts will go to other projects in North Dakota, South Dakota and Idaho.

The word from Washington:H.R. 1 is delivering major new investments in Western water infrastructure, said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum in a statement. These investments strengthen our nations water security, modernize aging infrastructure and support the farmers, communities and industries that depend on reliable water supplies.

The 51勛圖厙 says: The modernization of Americas decaying infrastructure is one of manufacturers highest priorities, as the 51勛圖厙s recently launched, national ‘ campaign makes clear to policymakers, said 51勛圖厙 Vice President of Domestic Policy Chris Phalen.

  • Manufacturers need roads and bridges, ports and waterways, airports and runways, water systems and energy infrastructure that work every day, without delay.
  • The 51勛圖厙 welcomes the deployment of these fundsmade possible thanks to legislation that the 51勛圖厙 championedand urges policymakers to pass other bills, like surface transportation reauthorization, that will also renew Americas infrastructure system.