FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kate Gibbs kgibbs@wcwd.org (510) 390-4844
Date: February 2, 2026
Federal Funding Package Approved by Congress and Signed by President- WCW Slated for Environmental Infrastructure Project Support
January 28, 2026 (Richmond, CA). The H.R. 6938 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 (119th Congress) was signed into law, which includes $1.35 million for West County Wastewater’s (WCW) North Richmond Wastewater Protection Environmental Infrastructure Project.
The bill passed in the House by a vote of 397-28 and in the Senate by a vote of 82-15, signed by the President of the United States, and includes funding for FY26 Energy and Water Development (E&W) including $6.5 million in Community Project Funding sponsored by Representative Garamendi of the Eighth Congressional District.
“Investing in community spaces helps neighborhoods thrive – especially communities like North Richmond, the unincorporated area of West Contra Costa County’s low level sea shoreline, which have been historically overlooked, underserved, underdeveloped, under resourced, disinvested, and disenfranchised,” states WCW’s Board President Cheryl Sudduth. “This is the very reason we have fought so hard to secure this direct federal funding to help move this critical infrastructure project forward. This effort demonstrates how we can learn from the past to create a better future for all as we work together with the Army Corps, local/state/federal government officials, and community leaders to create this living levee and resilient community space. It will have a profound, long-lasting impact that will benefit North Richmond residents, industry, threatened species, and the surrounding communities.
We appreciate Congressman Garamendi’s support on securing this funding as well as Congressman DeSaulnier who was our original sponsor, Congressman Swalwell, and former Congresswoman (now Oakland Mayor) Barbara Lee, who all signed the letter of support. This is only the beginning!”
Over the past three years, WCW Board of Directors and staff have met with representatives, including Congressman John Garamendi and Army Corps of Engineers staff requesting community project funding.
WCW’s earmark is one of only 102 Army Corps construction earmarks nationwide (totaling $754.7 million) included in the spending package.
WCW has been working with various local partners to create a design for a protective living levee along the shoreline that parallels part of the North Richmond community. This area includes WCW Water Quality & Resource Recovery Plant along Richmond Parkway in North Richmond, California.
WCW, through grants from the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority, have been working on and developed plans for approximately 60% design of the project. $1.35 million will assist WCW in coordinating with the Army Corp of Engineers to get to 100% design specifications.
The living levee will be a nature-based solution to protect against future coastal flooding and enhance natural habitats. It will protect residents, commercial businesses, natural habitats, and WCW’s own assets, including an $83 million Clean & Green sustainability project in the final stages of completion. During the design phases, the North Richmond community has been engaged and offered ideas and possibilities for various shoreline amenities. Read more about this North Richmond Living Levee Project.
(Pictured below from top to bottom: 1) North Richmond Living Levee Concept Vision, and 2) North Richmond Living Levee Concept Rendering of proposed community amenities
