WASHINGTON — Oxnard's push to overhaul its water system is running into resistance from the Bush administration.

An official with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation told a Senate panel Tuesday that the agency opposes the Oxnard project and eight other new water projects, most of which are in California and will require millions of dollars in federal funding.

The bureau believes "it is not prudent" to authorize additional projects because a large number already have been approved and are actively being pursued, said Kris Polly, the agency's deputy commissioner.

The bureau "prefers that feasibility studies be completed first to determine whether a particular project warrants federal construction authorization," Polly told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Water and Power.

Legislation authorizing the Oxnard project cleared the House last May and is awaiting action by the Senate subcommittee.

The bill doesn't provide any federal money for the project. But it does authorize the bureau to take part in the design and planning of the water system update — an important first step that must be approved before the city can request federal funding.

Ken Ortega, the city's public works director, noted the House overlooked the bureau's objections and approved the Oxnard project last year.

"As long as we have congressional delegates and senators that want to see these projects approved, it's just par for the course," Ortega said.

The city hopes to eventually receive nearly $14 million in federal funds for the project, which would provide additional water supplies to municipal and agricultural users throughout the county.

Besides federal money, the project will be financed with $25 million in bonds and various state grants.

The first phase of the project — expected to cost $55 million — includes a desalination plant that would provide additional water supplies for Oxnard and surrounding communities and a water recycling system that would treat domestic and industrial wastewater for agricultural use, such as irrigation.

The desalination plant is under construction and should be operational in August or September, Ortega said. Construction of the water recycling facility should begin in 2009 or 2010.

If the federal legislation is approved, the city would have to go back to Congress later and ask for funding for the project, Ortega said.