August eNews: Water Affordability Assistance Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk
On August 11 residents from impacted communities across California gathered on the West Steps of the Capitol to demand safe and affordable water solutions. With final votes taking place yesterday, we now have two bills heading to Governor Newsom’s desk for signing during this legislative session:
SB 222 (Dodd) will create a first-in-the-nation statewide water rate assistance program. For years, California families have faced the reality of having their water shut off due to inability to pay their water bill. Now, they can rest easier knowing they will have access to permanent monthly support for water affordability.
AB 2108 (Rivas) will ensure racial equity is front and center in the planning process for major permits and decisions at the State and Regional Water Boards, while also reducing barriers for environmental justice and Tribes to participate in public decision-making.
While making unprecedented progress this year, we will continue to work on policies like AB 2201 (Bennett) which would have increased oversight of new wells being drilled to protect domestic and community sources of drinking water. Until then, Governor Newsom’s emergency executive order still provides key protections to communities most vulnerable to over pumping and excessive well drilling.
As the California legislature winds down for the year, we’ll continue our fight until all Califorinans have access to safe and affordable water.
Adelante,
Susana De Anda
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Critical Decision Point to Make SGMA Work for Our Communities
Droughts aren’t going away. Demand for groundwater is not going to stop. For small, rural communities to have a chance at survival in this reality, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act must be implemented equitably to protect this critical resource.
Last January, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) rejected 27 groundwater sustainability plans (primarily in the San Joaquin Valley) on the basis that these plans lack protections for households who rely on domestic wells. Local agencies resubmitted these plans in July but unfortunately not much has changed.
We know what’s at stake. Two years ago, the Water Foundation published a report stating if we didn’t get SGMA right, up to 127,000 people in the San Joaquin Valley may lose some or all of their primary water supply by 2040.
Join us in demanding our decision-makers meet this moment with bold leadership to protect California’s drinking water supply by managing our groundwater equitably. Sign the petition for equity in SGMA today!
Thank You to our Amazing Interns!
Interns Daniela (left), Mary (center) and Paula (right) on the steps of the Capitol advocating for safe and affordable water for all Californians this August.
Daniela, Mary and Paula joined the CWC team as full-time interns in our Watsonville and Sacramento offices this summer. They provided vital support on projects ranging from door-to-door outreach, social media management and more. We are so glad for our time with them and can’t wait to see what the future holds!
In Case You Missed It
CWC is Hiring
Do you have a passion for environmental and social justice? Are you looking for an opportunity to work alongside those on the frontlines of the safe and affordable drinking water movement in California?
Community Water Center is hiring for multiple positions across all three of our offices:
Administrative Assistant — Visalia Office
Support day–to–day activities to ensure sustainable, efficient and effective operations of the organization and its three offices.
264 Reported Dry Wells Since August 1 and a Total of 1,038 Since The Year Started
Is Your Water Safe or Well Running Dry?
If you’re experiencing drinking water issues and live in the San Joaquin Valley or Central Coast regions, check out our Safe Water Resources page. Information can be found on private well testing, bottled water programs, and more.
As California continues into the third year of this historic drought, we also have a page dedicated to drought relief resources.
Thank you to our Generous Donors!
Huge thank you to our sustaining monthly donors! Your ongoing commitment to water justice ensures everyone will have access to safe, clean and affordable drinking water.
Arden Wells, Bessma Mourad, Bob Simone, Carly Yoshida, Claire Wilkens,
Denise Heitzenroder, Frank Lukacs, Jose Pablo Ortiz Partida, Kathryn Gilje, Kathryn Wuelfing, Kirk Demartini, Klara East, Kristin Dobbin, Lara Cushing, Max Meyer, Paul Pierce, Sandra Hocker,
Sandra Rose, Stephen Gasteyer, Vicki Woods, Victoria Klug, Yara Pasner
And thank you to our generous donors for the month of July !
Barbara Wyler
Be a water champion and support safe water for all.
