Dos Palos city leaders have their fingers crossed.
Congressman Adam Gray recently submitted 15 community projects within his district for funding in the coming fiscal year that will start on July 1.
Gray said in a press release that if funded, each project would serve the Central Valley by improving roads, expanding water storage, supporting construction of common spaces and parks, and upgrading equipment for first responders.
Included in the submissions is a $4 million appropriation for the city of Dos Palos’ wastewater treatment facility.
“For too long, Washington has left the Central Valley behind,” Gray said in his statement. “Now we have the opportunity to finally bring home funding that our community desperately needs. I am proud to submit these 15 projects that would improve daily lives in the Valley. I am committed to working towards funding for each from the Appropriations Committee.”
Dos Palos’ wastewater plant, located on Swift Avenue on the outskirts of the city, was last updated in 1989, according to city manager Dewayne Jones.
He noted that this is just part of what the complete rehabilitation will cost.
“We did a study through a grant from the State Water Resources Board about our needs for the wastewater plant rehabilitation, and the total cost is $12 million,” Jones explained. “It is in dire need of rehabilitation.”
Gray recently visited the plant with Jones and Mayor Katy Reed.
“Adam came out and we were able to show him how bad the plant is,” said Mayor Reed, noting that the city hired a grant writer last November to come up with more money for the project.
Now Reed, Jones, and other city leaders are hoping for the full $4 million funding but will be happy with any amount that will get the project going.
“We are jazzed we got the ball rolling towards rehabilitating that facility,” said Jones. “We’re going to get something, maybe some, maybe all.”
Congressman Gray received dozens of CPF applications from local governments and organizations for the fiscal 2026 year. The submitted projects were selected to comply with the Appropriations Committee’s narrow project requirements for committee guidance and their application’s thorough supporting materials.
