June eNews: Moving California water legislation forward!
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Dear Supporter,
Water affordability is moving forward in California! This past month AB 1255, the Low Income Rate Assistance: Voluntary Contribution Framework program by Senator Maria Elena Durazo, made it through two tough votes. Raquel Sanchez, AGUA founding member from the city of Tulare, traveled to Sacramento to express the importance of this bill before the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee.
AGUA founding member Raquel Sanchez testified before the ESTM committee in support of SB 1255.
Raquel is a powerful example why community voices are critical in legislative spaces giving state leaders real insight into the struggles and needs of impacted residents. Through community advocacy and testimony we are showing the strong need and building support for water affordability in the state.
Up next we will be following the bill through appropriations and advocating for continued support to take this bill to the finish line. Working together, we will lay the foundations for affordable drinking water in California. Make sure to follow our socials to stay updated on water affordability and how we are advancing!
Adelante,
Susana De Anda
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Speaking up for the Future of Kaweah’s Groundwater
Angie Moreno from Cutler-Orosi advocating for the protection of groundwater at the Kaweah Probationary Hearing in Visalia..
Water scarcity is not unfamiliar to Californians, especially those in agricultural regions like the Central Valley. Community partners in the Kaweah Basin are working to shape the future of groundwater in their region. The Kaweah Basin serves as a primary source of drinking water for small rural low-income communities. However, high agricultural demands often strain this critical resource, creating concerns about sustainability and environmental health.
At the Kaweah Probationary Hearing in Visalia, community advocates were present to inform themselves on basin groundwater issues and provide comment urging for groundwater protection. Groundwater Sustainability Agencies addressed issues like groundwater levels, subsidence, and mitigation programs. Community partners noted however, that plans for groundwater quality and water budget planning still needed improvements to be effective. Community partners highlighted these failures urging for the state to place the Kaweah basin under probation. Residents from the region shared their experiences living through drought and contaminated water, citing these as impacts we need to address as soon as possible in groundwater sustainability plans. The next hearing will be in January, and we hope to see the state do its job in protecting our resources.
Climate Bond Moving Forward!
Legislators and coalition partners after the climate bond was signed by Acting Governor Mike McGuire.
Over 180 organizations and community leaders have been working tirelessly to advocate for an equitable climate bond. After months of hard work, the Climate Bond has been approved by the legislature! This is an important step for California as we fight for funding in the face of budget cuts and climate change. California needs to be prepared as we face weather extremes that put pressure on our state’s infrastructure, especially our most vulnerable communities.
The Climate Bond is committed to advancing equitable funding with plans to invest at least 40% in disadvantaged communities. $610 million of this bond will be dedicated to funding safe drinking water projects. This funding will support crucial programs our communities rely on.
Residents from the Central Valley and Central Coast advocated throughout the year, urging elected officials to support this important bond. It will now be up to all of us — California’s voters — to support the climate bond, Proposition 4, in the November elections and have a say in how we fund climate resilience for the communities of our state.
Can we count on your support for Proposition 4 on November 5th?
Berkeley Public Health - Study shows PFAS threat to drinking water in rural, predominantly Latinx communities
Sacramento News & Review - Notes from Under Ground: the future of the Sacramento Valley’s water below the surface
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 movement for safe and affordable drinking water in California?
Community Water Center is hiring:
Community Solutions Advocate — Watsonville Office
Work in partnership with communities in Monterey County to help secure access to safe and affordable drinking water.Community Solutions Manager — Visalia Office
Responsible for managing drinking water projects in underserved communities where residents do not have reliable 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.Development Director — Visalia, Sacramento, Watsonville Office, or remote in CA
Join CWC's successful and collaborative fund development team to lead efforts for grants, donors, and events.
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.
More information on CWC Careers here!
Community Resources
The Drinking Water Tool
Visit the Drinking Water Tool to see who makes decisions 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. Use the tool 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
And thank you to our June donor!
Julianna Ross
Be a water champion and support safe water for all.
