June eNews: Construction Begins in West Goshen for Safe Water
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Dear Supporter,
Construction began in West Goshen to bring safe water to 60 homes!
A portion of the community gets safe drinking water from California Water Service — which also serves the city of Visalia. An estimated 60 households still rely on private wells impacted by dropping groundwater levels and contamination from nitrates, uranium and 123-TCP, which all pose health risks.
West Goshen residents including Jesus Benítez and Gary Biggs formed the community based organization West Goshen Water for Life, which has led the effort behind connecting to California Water Service. Construction began last month, and all homes should be receiving safe, reliable water by December 2023!
“Homes relying on private wells in West Goshen are faced with the reality of not being able to drink their tap water, if they have running water at all. No one should have to live with that stress, so it’s an exciting moment for the community to finally see progress being made towards safe water for all,” says Daisy Gonzalez, CWC’s Community Solutions Coordinator overseeing this project.
Community-led water projects, like West Goshen, are key to solving California’s drinking water crisis. We’re looking forward to celebrating this success and others at our upcoming Visalia fundraiser — stay tuned!
Adelante,
Susana De Anda
Co-Founder and Executive Director
CWC and Community Leaders Welcome State Decision Makers to Rural Monterey County
Decision makers overseeing the state’s water resources traveled to Monterey County to hear from residents who lack access to safe and affordable water. Community leaders shared issues that are worrying them such as lowering water levels, contamination, sea water intrusion, and unaffordable rates.
Residents Kelli and Tim Hutton (left and center) shared the impact seawater intrusion is having on their water supply.
The day began north of Moss Landing at a cluster of private wells less than a mile from the ocean. Residents shared their concerns over high levels of contamination and seawater intrusion, which is causing pipes to corrode making their water undrinkable. With CWC providing the technical assistance, community leaders are working towards connecting with the nearby Springfield water system as a long-term solution to contamination issues.
Next, we traveled just south of Pajaro to another private well community made up of four hilly streets surrounded by agriculture. Community leaders like Enrique Serrano (above) shared similar drinking water concerns to North of Moss Landing residents including high levels of contamination. His community is currently working on a long-term drinking water and wastewater solution, with CWC providing technical assistance. The goal is connecting these homes to the nearby Pajaro Sunny Mesa water system.
The day ended at San Jerardo, a farmworker cooperative near Salinas established in the 1970s. Although residents receive safe water, General Manager Ileana Miranda (above) shared that they are worried about rising arsenic levels. Unaffordable water bills remain a concern for the community as well.
Representatives from the State Water Board, Central Coast Regional Water Board, Department of Water Resources, CA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Pesticides Regulation, and U.S. EPA Region 9 at the San Jerardo Cooperative near Salinas, CA.
This visit was a powerful example of the importance of decision makers traveling to the communities facing our greatest water challenges. A previous visit to the San Joaquin Valley helped emphasize the importance of protecting domestic well users and small community water systems in groundwater management plans. We look forward to working with these agencies to follow-up on concerns raised by community leaders.
Pilot Project Effectively Treats Private Wells for 123-TCP
This month, we released a report on CWC’s 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (123-TCP) Treatment Pilot Project in Monterey County. 123-TCP is an extremely persistent contaminant often found in groundwater near rural agricultural communities and is known to cause cancer.
As a direct result of this pilot, eight treatment systems are now providing 10 households with water below the legal limit for this dangerous contaminant.
Statewide more than 642,000 people are known or suspected to have 123-TCP contamination.
There are currently no state-certified devices to treat 123-TCP at the household level. This forces people who have 123-TCP and get their water from private wells to rely on bottled water for drinking and cooking, while facing risks from inhaling steam during showers. For some places that do not have access to another safe water source, providing household level treatment is the best short-term option.
Pilot project participants Roberto Ramirez and Maria Garcia.
Based on experience gained through this pilot, CWC recommends the following:
When funding pilot projects, in-depth outreach must be funded to identify eligible households, build trust, share information on the project details, and address any barriers that may arise.
Plans and funding sources must be identified for operation and maintenance over several years after initial installation and monitoring efforts have concluded.
Where possible, more sustainable and cost effective long-term drinking water solutions such as a consolidation with a public water system should be prioritized to address multiple contaminants and supply issues. The location where the pilot took place also faces contamination from nitrates and hexavalent chromium and concerns with water supply.
Hanford town hall event examines drought, flooding and sustainable water practices
Budget Deal Targets Water Bill Debt Without Addressing Long-Term Water Affordability
Water justice advocates press statement on 2023-24 California Budget.
View all recent media here
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.Community Solutions Coordinator — Visalia Office
Provide technical support and resources to assist residents in making informed decisions on the best drinking water solutions for their needs.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.
NEW: 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.
Arden Wells, Bessma Mourad, Bob Simone, Carly Yoshida, Claire Sarraville, Claire Wilkens, Denise Heitzenroder,
Frank Lukacs, Jose Pablo Ortiz Partida, Kathryn Gilje, Kathryn Wuelfing, Kirk Demartini, Klara East,
Kristin Dobbin, Lara Cushing, Max Meyer, Natalie Garcia-Grazier, Paul Pierce, Sandra Hocker, Sandra Goldenberg,
Thomas Biglione, Sandra Rose, Stephen Gasteyer, Vicki Woods, Yara Pasner
Be a water champion and support safe water for all.
