February eNews: Pushing for safe and affordable water from D.C. to Sacramento
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Dear Supporter,
Every year we have a new opportunity to work with legislators and center community voices to advance our work in achieving safe and affordable drinking water. We finalized our 2025 sponsored bill package and legislative priorities supporting solutions at the state and federal level including:
SB 350 (Durazo) - We are keeping the momentum for water affordability this year to create a Water Rate Affordability Program (WRAP) in California to provide direct bill credits to eligible low income customers —the first of its kind in the U.S.
Extend SAFER - SAFER funds projects and provides emergency resources to deliver clean and affordable drinking water to Californians across the state. Since 2019 it’s helped communities access safe drinking water and we need to extend this program beyond 2030 to address California's drinking water crisis.
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) - Establish and fund a permanent program at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that water bill debt relief is continually provided at the federal level.
Expand Federal Funding - Small and rural communities need urgent expanded access to infrastructure for safe drinking water solutions that enable them to adapt to drier conditions. These same communities need resources to fund operations and maintenance costs so that water systems don't fall behind. The solutions need to center local expertise.
Community members ready to speak with state representatives about urgent water issues last May.
We will be pushing for these priorities alongside community leaders this year and hope you will join us. Stay tuned to our socials for advocacy actions this Spring!
Adelante,
Susana De Anda
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Four New Systems Online to Treat 123-TCP
123-tcp systemsin Monterey County.
Four new 123-TCP systems have been installed in Greenfield! The Central Coast 123-TCP Treatment Pilot Project is taking place in unincorporated communities where residents rely on domestic wells contaminated with high levels of 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (123-TCP). This contaminant can cause skin irritation, headaches and in the long run can lead to cancer. While a family can switch to bottled water, steam from hot water (like in the shower) can cause health impacts.
For this reason, CWC started working directly with homes relying on private wells with 123-TCP contamination to install these treatment systems. These new systems now make a total of 16 across Monterey and San Benito Counties. This is an essential short-term solution as all four households organize for a permanent safe water solution for their private well community. Learn more about the 123-TCP Project and Walnut Avenue.
Don’t Miss out on WJLA!
Assemblymember Dr. Arambula received the Legislative Champion award alongside CWC Executive Director Susana De Anda and Policy Manager Abraham Mendoza.
Our annual Water Justice Leadership Awards (WJLA) are quickly approaching! Join us on March 12th, to honor water justice leaders fighting for clean and affordable drinking water in California including:
Legislative Champions: State Senator Ben Allen and Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia
Community Leadership Champions: Martha and Esteban Curiel of Woodville and Rosa Carrillo Orozco of the San Jerardo Cooperative
Ally Organization: Central California Environmental Justice Network
Our celebration is on March 12, 2025 in downtown Sacramento at Cafeteria 15L at 5:30 p.m. It will be an inspiring event alongside decision makers, allies and community partners.
Don't miss out! Purchase your ticket here to support our water leaders.
If you are interested in sponsoring this event please reach out to Katie Havens, Development Director at (559) 733-0219 or katie.havens@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 movement for safe and affordable drinking water in California?
Community Water Center is hiring:
Engineering Project Manager (Drinking Water) - Watsonville Office
Responsible for managing all activities concerned with implementing one to two large drinking water infrastructure projects from planning to completion.
Human Resources Manager- Visalia Office
Manage day-to-day HR operations, including employee relations, recruiting, onboarding, payroll, benefits, training, and policy implementation.
Communications Intern - Visalia or Sacramento Office
Help serve as a resource for information and a center of expertise on community water challenges through social media, the website, and media.
More information on CWC Careers here!
Community Resources
Guide to Community Drinking Water Advocacy
Visit the Guide to Community Drinking Water Advocacy to find information about your water supply and quality, potential threats to groundwater quality, and how to get involved in local groundwater management decisions among other great information. Visit the guide here!
Thank you to our Generous Donors!
A 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, Kat Gilje, Kelsey Hinton, Kirk Demartini, Kristin Dobbin, Lauren Gordon, Max Meyer, Natalie Garcia-Grazier, Temma Kaplan, Tori Klug, Kelsey Hinton, Lauren Gordon
And thank you to our February donors!
Arohi Sharma, and Steve Fleischli
Be a water champion and support safe water for all.
