MORE CAN BE DONE FOR WATER AFFORDABILITY WITH CALIFORNIA’S BUDGET
For Immediate Release
Jan. 10, 2025
Contact:
Maraid Jimenez, Community Water Center, 559-809-7646, maraid.jimenez@communitywatercenter.org
Jill Hindenach, Leadership Counsel for Justice & Accountability, (202)494-6309, jhindenach@leadershipcounsel.org
Jennifer Clary, Clean Water Action, (707) 483-6352, jclary@cleanwater.org
More Can Be Done for Water Affordability With California’s Budget
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Governor Newsom released California’s draft 2025-26 state budget
and while there are promising investments for California’s clean water needs, more is needed to
ensure access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
We support the Governor’s efforts to protect all Californians from our climate extremes,
especially in light of the devastating fires in Los Angeles. California is a state that looks forward,
and in the face of climate extremes we need to be prepared for drought, flooding, and extreme
heat, and fires. Voters passed Prop 4, the Climate Bond, which promises sustained funding for
access to clean water. In today’s draft budget, $183.2 million of this funding is set aside for safe
drinking water infrastructure— which is an important start.
“The state made a commitment to funding for our most impacted communities by including
Justice 40 goals in the bond language. We look forward to working with the state to meet and
surpass this goal” says Nataly Escobedo Garcia, Ph.D., Water Policy Coordinator for
Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. We urge the legislature to prioritize
getting this funding to communities most in need, like rural low-income communities.
California voters made clear that high cost of living is their top concern. While the budget
proposes making energy bills affordable, all utility costs affecting Californians’ wallets must be
considered, including water bills. We urge the Governor and Legislature to work with advocates
and residents facing unaffordable water rates to develop a low-income water rate assistance
program this year.
Some families are paying up to 10% of their income on water bills. “While the Governor’s budget
provides a narrative commitment to addressing high energy bills, high water bills are not
discussed,” says Jennifer Clary, California Director, Clean Water Action. “These bills have
been rising faster than inflation for the past 2 decades; It’s past time to address this problem.
We urge the governor and legislature to similarly commit to work with us on this issue.”
Lastly, funding directed towards new positions to execute AB 2454 and AB 805 will be critical in
moving forward safe drinking water goals. “We appreciate the signing of AB 805 to solve
wastewater administration, but we need to see action because we are tired of dealing with the
same problem for the past 20 years,” says Carlos Sanchez, East Orosi Community Services
District Board Member. “We saw action from Governor Newsom when he visited East Orosi [to
sign AB 805], and our community is urging these promises to become reality so our
communities can heal from injustices faced from a lack of drinking water and proper systems.”
Everyone in the state is guaranteed safe, clean and affordable water by law. It is critical this
becomes a reality without further burdening our hard working families. We look forward to
working with the Governor towards a viable solution that makes safe water affordable for all
Californians.
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Community Water Center (CWC) works to ensure that all communities have reliable access to safe, clean, and affordable water. Founded in 2006, CWC is a not-for-profit environmental justice organization, whose mission is to act as a catalyst for community-driven water solutions through education, organizing, and advocacy.
Web: www.communitywatercenter.org.
Twitter: @CWaterC
Facebook: @CommunityWaterCenter
Vecinos Unidos (Neighbors United) is a community-based organization, bringing together leaders from East Orosi, Orosi and Cutler who advocate for safe, affordable and reliable water and wastewater solutions.
