Statement from CWC Co-Founder and Executive Director Susana De Anda on Governor’s May 10, 2021 Water Debt Relief Announcement:

“Drinking water debt is yet one more heavy burden for millions of Californians, including the one million who entered the pandemic already living with a drinking water crisis. Our farmworker communities and Communities of Color across the state have been particularly hit hard and it's time for us to invest in their recovery.

“That is why we strongly support Governor Newsom’s historic initiative to invest $1 billion in water debt relief for California families, along with an additional $1 billion in electricity debt relief. This can’t come soon enough.

“All Californians must have safe, clean, and affordable drinking water. Yet the reality is that 1.6 million households, or about five million Californians, are drowning in at least $1 billion in water debt due to the pandemic. The Governor’s plan represents a lifeline for the millions of families who are drowning in water debt.

“We urge passage of the proposed water debt relief as quickly as possible. And we recognize and applaud the Senate’s proposal for $1 billion in water debt relief as well.

“We also urge elected leaders to keep moving in the right direction and pass SB 222 (Dodd, creation of statewide water affordability program) and SB 223 (Dodd, protection against water shutoffs), and provide long-term funding to provide the ongoing water affordability relief that our families need to recover equitably.”

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Community Water Center 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