Securing Key Federal and State Infrastructure Funding for East County AWP Program
The East County Advanced Water Purification (AWP) Program is a pivotal initiative designed to provide East San Diego County with a reliable, drought-resilient water supply. Once completed, the project will treat 15 million gallons of wastewater daily, producing potable water to meet approximately 30% of the region’s demand. To achieve its ambitious goals, the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) leading the project engaged Nossaman for strategic government relations and regulatory expertise to secure critical state and federal funding, navigate complex legislative frameworks, and ensure compliance with evolving regulations.
We delivered a comprehensive advocacy and regulatory strategy. This included organizing three federal fly-ins conducted in 2024, 2025, and 2026, securing meetings with key congressional offices, agency officials, and state decision-makers to advance AWP priorities. Federally, the team worked closely with congressional offices and agencies to secure funding across multiple budget cycles. This included $2.4 million in FY 2023 EPA STAG Clean Water Revolving Funds for the project’s power supply component, $690,898 in FY 2024 for Cybersecurity and Information Technology (IT), and $1 million in FY 2026 for IT infrastructure upgrades. Additionally, these efforts helped align Section 283 of the 2022 WRDA authorization, earmarking $70 million for water and wastewater infrastructure in East County, with AWP priorities. Our work successfully supported the inclusion of AWP funding requests in both Senate and House appropriations efforts, led by Senator Padilla and Representative Issa.
At the state level, we leveraged our in-depth knowledge of California’s legislative and budgetary processes to work with the San Diego legislative delegation to help secure $2 million in FY 2023-24 and $1.95 million in FY 2024-25 through direct state budget appropriations. These efforts were supported by several San Diego legislators, including Senator Weber-Pierson (at the time an Assemblymember), Senator Brian Jones, and Assemblymember Chris Ward. This critical funding supplemented significant additional state contributions, including a $378 million California State Water Resources Control Board loan.
By coordinating these funding streams, Nossaman helped position the AWP to receive additional federal support, including more than $49 million in Bureau of Reclamation Title XVI grants since 2016 and a $387 million WIFIA loan secured in 2021. This coordinated state and federal strategy maximized the project’s financial sustainability while mitigating funding gaps that could have slowed progress. Our advocacy and regulatory expertise allowed the AWP to remain on track to meet its vital water sustainability objectives, securing over $450 million in combined state and federal support and helping ensure the JPA can deliver high-quality drinking water while meeting stringent environmental standards.
Securing a potable, locally controlled water supply through the AWP addresses ongoing drought challenges, reduces reliance on imported water, and supports long-term economic and environmental resilience in San Diego County.
