October eNews: Vice President Harris Raises Importance of Clean Water Access
Last week, I joined a webinar where Vice President Kamala Harris spoke on environmental justice, stating “when we talk about environmental justice… we are talking about access to clean water.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Far too many lack access to clean water and the federal government can and should be leading water justice solutions by:
Expanding the Justice40 Initiative championed by the Biden/Harris Administration to include more programs and ensure 40% of the benefits from federal investments meet disadvantaged communities.
Allocating and implementing federal drought dollars quickly, like the $4 billion in the Inflation Reduction Act, to ensure communities won’t be left without water.
Funding the pilot Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Program that was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
We look forward to working with the administration on these important programs to get closer to a guarantee of clean water for all.
Adelante,
Susana De Anda
Co-Founder and Executive Director
No Signs of Slowing in the Central Coast!
Wells in North of Moss Landing have some of the highest levels of nitrate contamination we’ve seen, in addition to 1,2,3-TCP, and chrom-6. Our Central Coast team works closely with community partners in rural Monterey County to connect families to free bottled water deliveries, well testing and keep their voices at the forefront of discussions on long-term safe and reliable water solutions for their entire community.
Johnson, McGinnis, Live Oak
We’ve reached over 95% of community members in the Johnson, McGinnis, Live Oak area, through one-on-one listening sessions to better understand their concerns about water and what they would like to see in the future of their community. We learned the community is very concerned with both drinking water and wastewater. In response, our team helped to draft an Assistance Request to the State Water Board. We’ll be working alongside community partners as they work towards an Alternative Analysis for long-term drinking water solution, as well as tracking key wastewater updates.
CWC staff and community members met in October to discuss the history of water in the Johnson, McGinnis, Live Oak area and what concerns over water and wastewater.
Springfield Project
Many families on Springfield and Struve roads near north of Moss Landing currently rely on drinking water contaminated with nitrate and 1,2,3-trichloropropane (123-TCP) at levels much higher than public health standards. Testing results from some private wells in the surrounding area show contamination up to five times the allowed limit for nitrates and 1,2,3-TCP. This regional project seeks to connect ~120 households to a new drinking water supply and expanded water system to finally provide a safe and reliable water solution for this community.
Last week, CWC facilitated an activity called the “River of Time” at the El Comité meeting where we learned more about the history of the community directly from community members. We used this space to talk about where the community water issues stand currently and what solutions the community wants to work towards moving forward. See photos above.
Do you have your voting plan ready?
Your vote can help deliver safe and affordable water. Many of the people who make decisions on your water every day are elected officials. It is time to have our voices heard by electing leaders that will make safe and affordable water a priority. Do you have your plan ready to vote?
If voting mail:
You can fill it out today and send it back in the mail, no stamp required! Or you can drop it off at any ballot drop off location in your county: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place
If you didn’t receive your ballot or if you lost it, you can apply in writing for a replacement vote-by-mail ballot.
If in person:
Do you know where you’ll be voting on November 8? You can find your closest polling place here: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place
Remember if you’re in line to vote by 8pm on November 8, 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,” vote as you planned.
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.
202 Reported Dry Wells Since October 1 and a Total of 1,351 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 !
Donald Zimmerman and Lien Pham
Be a water champion and support safe water for all.
