Wednesday, Jan 25 2012 2:22PM

Integrated Regional Water Management Planning (IRWMP) groups are working in unison to solve problems related to water access throughout California, as government funds for projects to expand access are nearly gone, according to the magazine Ag Alert.

The news source states IRWMP organizations have planned 170 projects they would like to see occur throughout the state, including some in rural areas. However, without adequate funding, not all of them are expected to be completed.

According to Ag Alert, a $1 billion will be issued for water projects in November, much of which will be used to implement small-scale projects. The magazine stated, though, that IRWMP groups will need further money for large-scale projects.

California Farm Bureau Federation Water Resources Director Danny Merkley told the source water management associations working alongside one another can help them get closer to conducting projects statewide.

"Regional water management plans offer a good strategy for making incremental improvements to our water infrastructure in a highly collaborative, regional planning structure," said Merkley.

The California Department of Water Resources released a report in December that showed the state needs billions of dollars to fix aging water systems throughout the state, but particularly in rural areas.

For further information, check out these sources: Ag Alert, California Department of Water Resources