Napolitano Secures Approval for $20 million Norwalk Water Cleanup, Supply

(Washington D.C.)- Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano secured Congressional approval of a $20 million project for the city of Norwalk that would be used to upgrade an aging water system by building a new cleanup and supply system. The project is included in House Resolution 2864, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2005, which the House of Representatives approved 406-14 on Thursday.

        “As a resident of Norwalk for more than 40 years, I am personally relieved to see this project move forward. The positive effect this funding will have on the cleanliness and safety of the water we drink – not to mention the ability for the city to develop the aging system in Norwalk Park – will be enormous,” said Napolitano, D-Norwalk.

       The Senate must still approve WRDA, which authorizes approximately $10 billion for construction of various water, flood control and environmental projects. But Napolitano called Thursday’s action “an important first step.”

        This WRDA “construction” authorization would allow federal funding for the construction of a new water supply well, reservoir, water treatment facility, transmission main, pump station facility and computer-control system.  The new well would provide water to the city’s transmission and distribution system and ultimately to the reservoir to help meet water-demand requirements.

        The city of Norwalk continues to have problems with the integrity of its water system infrastructure.  Over a decade ago, Norwalk upgraded significant portions of its water pipelines.  City leaders are now seeking to safeguard the city’s actual drinking water while also providing adequate drainage facilities. Inadequate water supply and water pressure have also restricted development in the Norwalk Park neighborhood in the center of the city. Both a federally funded study and a county study have documented that the city’s ability to provide water in the event of a major earthquake would be severely compromised.

        “This is a safety measure on any number of different levels,” Napolitano said. “Safety in the event of an emergency, safety for our drinking water and safety created by fully developing our city. I will continue to work with the Senate to ensure this project gets federal approval and funding.”

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