Sen. Alex Padilla Introduces the MORE WATER Act Featuring Multibenefit Projects

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Feb. 4,  2026) Sen. Alex Padilla of California introduced the Making Our Communities Resilient through Enhancing Water for Agriculture, Technology, the Environment, and Residences Act, or MORE WATER Act. The legislation includes the creation of a new Water Conveyance Improvement Program that would require large projects that cost a minimum of $800 million and half of all projects under $800 million to deliver co-benefits for the environment and for safe drinking water for low-income communities.

“The MORE WATER Act is groundbreaking for incorporating multiple benefits into one program that provides much-needed funding for water conveyance systems such as aqueducts and canals while also delivering new benefits to low-income communities and the environment.

We applaud Sen. Padilla for addressing the needs of diverse water users in the MORE WATER Act and recognizing how water infrastructure is critical to growing our food, providing drinking water for people, and supporting thriving wildlife. This multibenefit approach to water management will be increasingly essential to ensuring we have enough water to meet the needs of communities and ecosystems now and into the future.”

• Ann Hayden, VP, Climate Resilient Water Systems, Environmental Defense Fund