September eNews: Water Justice From Coast to Coast!
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Dear Supporter,
Last month, we traveled to Washington, D.C. with We the People of Detroit to call on federal decision makers to fund safe and affordable water solutions for communities across the U.S.
CWC and We the People of Detroit with Radhika Fox, Assistant Administrator of the Office of Water at the U.S. EPA.
We shared our stories directly to Congressional staff in a powerful panel co-hosted with We the People of Detroit and in 18(!) meetings with California representative offices. We met with the U.S. EPA to discuss ways to better engage communities in long-term safe water projects. CWC’s Policy & Legal Director testified in a Senate hearing on how severe droughts are impacting access to safe water.
And this is only the beginning. Though our water challenges may differ from rural to urban communities, we were united in our message that everyone deserves access to safe and affordable water. We’ll continue to organize with water justice leaders like We the People of Detroit and push our federal decision makers to prioritize affordable water for all.
Adelante,
Susana De Anda
Co-Founder and Executive Director
State Water Board Weakens Nitrate Protections in the Central Coast
“Growers are going to keep contaminating the clean water. It can get worse to the point people will not be able to drink the water so we need to start now. As a matter of fact, we should have started protections 20 years ago. They are passing the cost and sicknesses to disadvantaged communities.” — Horacio Amezquita, community leader from Salinas
Last month, Central Coast community leaders traveled to Sacramento to urge the State Water Board to add back key nitrate protections to a region-wide nitrate pollution policy known as Ag Order 4.0.
Irrigated agricultural operations are a common source of nitrate contamination of groundwater. Groundwater pollution occurs when application of fertilizers containing nitrogen exceeds what plants can absorb. Exposure to elevated levels of nitrates is harmful and can result in Blue Baby Syndrome, diarrhea and vomiting, and over the long-term exposure, cancer.
While working with private well communities in the Central Coast, we’ve seen some of the highest nitrate levels in our well testing program — up to 6x the legal limit.
Unfortunately, the Board approved the weakened protections. Despite these setbacks, Community Water Center and allied partners will continue advocating for adequate protections.
A Night of Celebration and Reflection in Visalia
We had a blast connecting with Central Valley residents at our Visalia celebration “Avanzando con Ganas/Moving Forward with Intention”!
While there is progress to celebrate, we must keep moving forward as a collective to achieve the Human Right to Water. Community leaders from ongoing safe water projects in West Goshen and East Orosi shared the urgency needed from local and state leaders to consolidate their homes with nearby safe water systems. AGUA members who traveled to Washington D.C. explained why we must pressure our federal decision makers to keep funding on the ground solutions for water safety and affordability. Our speakers' commitment, and the commitment of all those working towards safe water in California, will move us forward as the work continues!
We want to thank those who joined us for this important night of celebration and reflection. Thank you to our sponsors who made this possible!
Imagine a Day Without Water on October 19
Imagine a Day Without Water is next week. In the U.S. many communities don’t have to imagine this reality — more than 2 million Americans are living without access to safe and affordable drinking water. At CWC, we work with communities in the San Joaquin Valley and the Central Coast pushing for solutions to this crisis through organizing, education, and advocacy.
This work is crucial, and we need your support to keep moving our goals forward. The energy from our last fundraiser is high and we want to keep the momentum going. Next Thursday, we’re looking for 50 new donors to help make clean and affordable water access a reality for our communities. Keep an eye out for our email and pass along to your friends!
New staff
Lauren Chew
Lauren joins CWC as a Community Solutions Coordinator in Visalia. She is passionate about community empowerment through improving water access and sanitation and has been involved in community development projects since 2016. Her experiences range from teaching solid waste management in Zimbabwe to drafting drainage design plans in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Rocio Rodriguez
Rocio is the Policy Analyst Intern for Community Water Center. Prior to joining the CWC, Rocio worked for the California State Assembly, where her passion for policy and advocacy bloomed. As a member of CWC, she hopes to expand her knowledge, make connections, and strive to help communities gain the resources they need.
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.Contracts Manager — Visalia, Sacramento, or Watsonville Office
Lead the administration and billing of our government funding agreements and subcontracts.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.
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
And thank you to our September donors!
Lauren Gordon, Steve Mahlum, Gary Lasky, Jean Hays, and Jenny Rempel
Be a water champion and support safe water for all.
