About CWC
CWC seeks to ensure that all communities have access to safe, clean and affordable water.
Our mission is to create community-driven water solutions through organizing, education and advocacy in California’s San Joaquin Valley.
The Center employs three primary strategies in order to accomplish our goals:
- Educate, organize and provide legal assistance to low-income, communities of color facing local water challenges.
- Advocate for systemic change to address the root causes of unsafe drinking water in the San Joaquin Valley.
- Serve as a resource for information and expertise on community water challenges.
CWC Programs
The Community Water Center works directly with a number of low-income, primarily Latino communities to
address problems that range from chronic drinking water contamination to barriers
to participation in local water governance. These direct services provide the
foundation for both of CWC’s Programs:
Protecting Groundwater from the Ground Up
This program aims to improve groundwater used as a source of drinking water in the Southern San Joaquin Valley. Our work focuses on the coordination and development of the AGUA coalition and its campaign for groundwater protection, particularly from sources of nitrate.Water Democratization
This program aims to ensure communities have a voice in water planning, policy and in decision making that affects whether they have access to reliable, affordable water supply. Our work focuses on engaging communities in water infrastructure planning and funding processes, and eliminating barriers to community participation.Research
CWC is an expert source of information on community drinking water issues in the Valley. Our research provides an important picture of the water injustices facing communities throughout Tulare, but is also useful information on water management in California. Read more about each of our research topics below.The face of water governance
