July eNews: You can make a difference for safe water!
Para español, haz clic aqui
Dear Supporter,
Construction is under way in West Goshen! Since the groundbreaking in June, 90% of construction is complete and the project is on track to finish this month. This community driven project has been years in the making and families will finally have relief from contaminated water and risks of dry wells.
Pipes being laid in West Goshen (Photo Courtesy of Tulare County).
Our community advocates are helping residents start the transition from relying on bottled water to turning on their tap to a safe water source. Some residents shared that they are excited to finally be able to cook with their tap water and the savings that will come from no longer having to pay for well maintenance. We can’t forget that this joy and security should be something all Californians get to experience from their own taps. West Goshen isn’t just an example, but it’s also a sign of hope we can achieve success stories with community persistence. We can’t wait to celebrate when construction is completed — stay tuned!
Adelante,
Susana De Anda
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Community partners stepping into leadership!
Rosa Carrillo (center) with CWC’s Deputy DIrector Natalie Garcia-Grazier and Executive Director & Co-Founder Susana De Anda at WJLA in March.
This month Rosa Carillo, AGUA coalition member and community leader from San Jerardo in the Central Coast, took an important step in water justice leadership. Rosa was officially appointed as the alternate for the public member seat at the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA)! This means Rosa will gain experience in groundwater management decision making building on her experience as General Manager for the San Jerardo Cooperative.
The public member seat is the only way a community partner can be in a decision making role on a GSA so with a chance to step in, this allows Rosa to provide the unique perspective of a community member living with contaminated drinking water, water pollution, and water affordability issues in a decision making space. It also gives her the chance to listen to the advisory committee and consider this group's recommendations when it comes to groundwater issues. Rosa’s journey highlights how community partners can step into leadership positions and offer their much needed perspectives. It also shows how it takes time to step into these spaces but it is not impossible and there is a network of support ready to help!
Congratulations to Rosa and be sure to check out the Community Water Leaders Network to learn more about our water leaders throughout the state!
How Can You Take Action?
CWC staff sharing water information.
In times when environmental protection is under threat and our immigrant communities are being targeted, it’s more important than ever to find ways to take action. Midterm elections are next year, and your local elections can make a big difference. Are you registered to vote? You can check your voter registration anytime to make sure it's up to date.
There are so many ways to get involved and make sure your community has the information needed to make informed decisions. You might choose to volunteer with an organization by making calls or door knocking in your neighborhood. You could also decide to run for office yourself! Taking action early and often will help our communities elect decision makers who understand our community needs and who will push forward our basic rights like safe and affordable drinking water.
It’s never too early to start taking action that can make a difference — so what will you be doing?
New Project Brings Safe Drinking Water to Rural Northern California Town
View all recent media here.
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 movement for safe and affordable drinking water in California?
Community Water Center is hiring:
Policy Director - Sacramento Office
The ideal candidate is an experienced policy advocacy leader and people manager who is: Committed to environmental justice, Energized to lead a team of policy advocates toward successful outcomes, and has a proven track record of wins, and Eager to partner with rural, low-income communities of color living with contaminated drinking water to seek short- and long-term solutions.
More information on CWC Careers here!
Community Resources
Guide to Community Drinking Water Advocacy
Visit the Guide to Community Drinking Water Advocacy to find information about your water supply and quality, potential threats to groundwater quality, and how to get involved in local groundwater management decisions among other great information. Visit the guide here!
Thank you to our Generous Donors!
A 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.
Ann Dierks, Bessma Mourad, Bob Simone, Carly Yoshida, Claire Sarraille, Claire Wilkens, F Thomas Biglione, Herbert G Cattanach, Jelle van Geuns, Jonathan Nelson, Jose Pablo Ortiz Partida, Kat Gilje, Kelsey Hinton, Kirk Demartini, Kjirste Morrell, Kristin Dobbin, Lauren Gordon, Lou Riordan, Margaret Ferguson, Margaret Pedersen, Max Gomberg, Max Meyer, Robert Kimberling, Sandi Matsumoto, Temma Kaplan, Wendy Hoben
Be a water champion and support safe water for all.
