February eNews: Vote for Water Justice Tomorrow!
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Dear Supporter,
Make your voice heard in tomorrow’s California Primary Election! We encourage you to look through your ballot and vote for representatives and policies that strengthen our communities. We need to make it clear — we deserve safe, clean and affordable drinking water.
See tips for voting below, and don’t forget to remind your friends and family to get out and vote for our community needs! :
If voting in-person: Election day is tomorrow, March 5th, and the polls are open from 7 AM - 8 PM. Find your local polling location. Remember if you’re in line to vote by 8 pm on March 5, you will be able to vote. Never leave the polling place without voting. If someone tells you that you can’t vote for any reason, demand a “provisional ballot,” and vote as you planned.
When voting by mail: Your ballot is a white envelope with a purple stripe that arrived by mail. You don’t need to add a stamp to mail your ballot. Make sure your ballot is put in your mailbox or returned to your local post office by the end of day today, Monday, March 4.
If dropping off your ballot: Find your closest ballot drop off location. The Dropboxes close at 8pm tomorrow, March 5.
Our collective voting power can make the political change we need to move forward the Human Right to Water for all. Make your voice heard!
Adelante,
Susana De Anda
Co-Founder and Executive Director
2024 Legislative Priorities
AGUA members in front of the California Capitol ready to advocate last August.
Community Water Center finalized our 2024 sponsored bill package and legislative priorities for the year. We’re supporting safe water solutions at the state and federal level including:
SB 1255 (Durazo) - LIRA: Voluntary Contribution Framework. We are making a big push for water affordability this year to create a low-income rate assistance program in California —the first of its kind in the U.S.
AB 2454 (Lee) - Tenant Rights: Well Testing. We will be advocating for a bill that will give tenants the right to have their wells tested for contaminants. We need to make sure that everyone, not just homeowners, know what’s in their water so they can make sure their families are safe.
Other priorities for 2024 include:
AB 805 (Arambula) - SWB: Wastewater Administrator Authority
ACA 16 (Bryan) - Constitutional Amendment: Right to Clean Air, Water & a Healthy Environment
AB 3090 (Maeinschien) - Wireless Emergency Notifications: Water Contamination
Climate Bond - Advocating for a $10 billion climate bond for water infrastructure to address the rising costs to provide safe, clean and affordable drinking water.
(H.R. 5359, Costa) (Federal) - Rural Development Modernization Act
(S.3830, Padilla) (Federal) - LIHWAP Establishment Act
It’s up to us to hold our electeds accountable! We’ll be making sure they prioritize money for safe water solutions that protect the Human Right to Water for our famillies.Stay tuned for advocacy actions this Spring!
Let's Celebrate Water Justice Leaders March 20th!
Susana de Anda with WJLA awardees, the AGUA coalition, at last year’s event.
The 8th annual Water Justice Leadership Awards (WJLA) will be held on March 20th. This is a chance to honor water justice leaders fighting for clean and affordable drinking water in California.
Legislative Champion: State Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula
Community Leadership Champions: Raquel Sanchez and her children Ramses Sanchez, Montserrat Santiago, Edgar Urbina, and Martin Urbina
Local Government Champion: Pajaro Sunny Mesa Community Services District
Our celebration is on March 20, 2024 in downtown Sacramento at Cafeteria 15L at 5:30 p.m. We look forward to a powerful event joined by leaders, allies and community partners.
If you are interested in being a sponsor for this event please reach out to Natalie Garcia-Grazier at 559-301-8224 or natalie.garcia@communitywatercenter.org.
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:
Community Solutions Advocate — Visalia Office
Work in partnership with communities in the Southern San Joaquin Valley to help secure access to safe and affordable drinking water.Contracts Manager — Visalia, Sacramento, or Watsonville Office
Lead the administration and billing of our government funding agreements and subcontracts.San Joaquin Valley Community Advocacy Manager — Visalia Office
Leading San Joaquin Valley-based community advocacy campaigns, and working collaboratively with CWC’s community solutions and policy teams to advance safe drinking water projects and policies.View all open positions here.
Community Resources
Low-income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
California received $116 million in one-time funding through this program to cancel out outstanding water and wastewater debt. Recently, this program expanded to allow qualified residents to receive one-time payments even if they are current on their water bill!
If you are struggling with water or wastewater affordability, or know someone who is, the first step is to contact your water district to ask about this program. Click here for more information or call us at (559) 733-0219.
California Flood Relief Program
In response to spring flooding, California created a $95 million state-funded storm recovery program to provide support to eligible individuals impacted by the storms who cannot access federal assistance due to immigration status. This includes direct assistance payments for housing, food, and transportation costs. Resources will be available through May 2024 or until all funds are spent. Click here for more information!
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.
Bessma Mourad, Bob Simone, Carly Yoshida, Claire Sarraille, Claire Wilkens, Elizabeth Callaway, F Thomas Biglione, Jonathan Nelson, Jose Pablo Ortiz Partida, Kathryn Gilje, Kelsey Hinton, Kirk Demartini, Kristin Dobbin, Lauren Gordon, Max Meyer, Natalie Garcia-Grazier, Temma Kaplan, Vicki Woods, Tori Klug
And thank you to our February donors!
Nancy Wiens, Teresa Castillo
Be a water champion and support safe water for all.
