The Amador Water Agency announced this week that it is the recipient of $3 million in federal assistance as authorized by Congress in the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.

Speaking at an agency board meeting, General Manager Jim Abercrombie indicated that the $3 million authorization is aimed at assisting the agency's Regional Wastewater Collection and Treatment Project, which is intended to improve and modernize the collection and treatment facilities of Sutter Creek, Jackson, Ione and Plymouth.

In announcing the federal support, Abercrombie told the board that Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chairwoman of the Environmental and Public Works Committee, initiated the authorization upon a request from the water agency, and that Congressman Dan Lungren (R-Gold River) supported the request in the House of Representatives. The Water Resources Development legislation was subject to a veto by the president, but both the Senate and the House overturned the veto by wide margins.

Abercrombie said the $3 million authorization requires congressional appropriation action before the funding will be secured, and indicated that the agency would pursue this assistance, as well as other opportunities for federal aid, in order to meet federal and state clean water requirements.