SAN FRANCISCO – Today, in San Diego, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and the California Water Resources Control Board announced a $37 million investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the South Mission Storm Drain and Green Infrastructure project. This investment aims to enhance resiliency against increasingly intense rain events and protect residents from flooding in Mission Beach.
“Improving stormwater infrastructure protects homes, businesses and our environment,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “President Biden promised to strengthen communities across the country by investing in water infrastructure. He delivered on that promise with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and now $37 million is coming to San Diego to reduce the risk of flooding in South Mission Beach.”
San Diego will receive a $32 million low-interest loan and a $5 million grant from the State Revolving Fund program, a longstanding federal-state partnership. This funding will allow San Diego to upgrade storm drain infrastructure in South Mission Beach, which dates back to the 1940s and is inadequately sized, leading to regular flooding in one of the city’s most densely populated neighborhoods. These upgrades aim not only to reduce flooding but also improve beach water quality in areas like Mariner’s Basin and support broader stormwater management goals.
“San Diegans know all too well from recent flooding that the city’s aging stormwater infrastructure is no match for severe weather events,” said U.S. Representative Scott Peters. “Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are upgrading this infrastructure to protect residents and businesses from flooding and our beaches from contamination.”
“Our storm drain system is largely underground and out of sight, but the implications of this aging infrastructure failing are massive – from serious flooding in our neighborhoods to pollution of our bays and the ocean,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “While upgrading and modernizing storm drains doesn’t capture public attention like fixing potholes, these major investments in critical infrastructure are incredibly important to our neighborhoods and quality of life.”
“The historic infusion of BIL dollars in recent years is helping California address the huge needs of our aging water and wastewater infrastructure,” said Joe Karkoski, Deputy Director of the Water Board and head of its Division of Financial Assistance. “Thanks to this federal commitment and the work of local partners like the City of San Diego, the state is leveraging this funding to launch major projects that will help us be more resilient in years ahead. But while historic, we know that BIL is a down payment on what will be required to overcome climate change impacts; partnerships we’ve built will be just as critical as funding for future work.”
In 2022, EPA awarded San Diego a $225 million WIFIA loan supporting its Stormwater Capital Improvement Program. With today's additional funding, San Diego plans further improvements including green infrastructure solutions that enhance wetland habitats for plants and animals, reduce urban heat islands, and create green space.
Background
The Biden-Harris Administration's bipartisan Congressional action has resulted in an unprecedented investment in U.S. water infrastructure through more than $50 billion allocated via EPA’s programs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding provides an opportunity for EPA along with states, Tribes, and localities to rebuild America’s water systems comprehensively. The EPA emphasizes ensuring disadvantaged communities receive equitable shares of these investments.
More information about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can be found at www.epa.gov/infrastructure.
