June Pulse: The Fight Isn’t Over
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In this edition:
Water Tour 🚌
Your Leg update 📜
Making Strides for Alternative Water Supply 🍶
Flashback 📼
Dear Supporter,
Decisions about water are too often made without the communities that are impacted the most. This is why we launched the Community Water Leaders Network (CWLN). Supporting communities in stepping into water decision-making positions is critical if we want to achieve water justice, especially for our communities directly impacted by unsafe drinking water and groundwater inequities. CWLN organized a Water Tour for its members in the San Joaquin Valley to connect lived experience to policy advocacy, especially around groundwater sustainability, drinking water access, and state investments.
CWLN members on the water tour.
The tour centered community voices from frontline towns and helped build leadership and shared learning among network members. Stops included Lamont, Lindsay, Delano, Allensworth, East Orosi, and Sultana, engaging with leaders like Lamont CSD Board Member Tim Prado and City Council Member Brian Osorio. It was a strong opportunity to strengthen relationships across communities, building collective power heading into advocacy and electoral work. We can’t wait to see what the network does next!
Adelante,
Susana De Anda
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Fight for SAFER and Affordability is Not Over
CWC advocates rallying alongside community partners for SAFER and affordability.
SAFER Updates
Communities impacted by contaminated drinking water and drought conditions know more than anyone how critical it is to secure the full $130 million allocation per year for the SAFER program. Unfortunately, in the recently approved Legislative Budget Deal, SAFER was not allocated the full funding. Mobilizing emergency resources like bottled water services is only possible because of SAFER, making it detrimental to lose $62 million in the yearly budget. The fight is not over, and we are still looking towards trailer bill conversations, an opportunity for final changes in the Budget to secure the full $130 million, pressing for the Governor and Assembly to weigh all options, including backfill funding.
Affordability Updates
Affordability continues to move forward! SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a plan for funding and implementing a Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Program, and we just saw it pass in the Assembly Utilities & Energy Committee. AB 2739 by Assemblymember Soria would create a funding source alongside water utilities, and it passed out of the first policy committee. Both bills are taking steps forward with strong support, which is critical since they will work together to make affordable drinking water a reality for Californians across the state. We will continue our support for them alongside community partners and allies!
Follow our socials as we keep pushing for SAFER and affordability!
Speaking Up for a Fair Alternative Water Supply
Community Partners from the Central Coast and CWC staff after providing comments at the Alternative Water Supply Program Workshop.
Central Coast partners and CWC staff provided comments and presented at the Central Coast Regional Board’s Alternative Water Supply (AWS) Program Workshop on June 18th. The AWS Program helps provide safe drinking water to communities impacted by nitrate contamination in groundwater from industrial agriculture. Our partners emphasized the importance of SAFER, noting the existing guidelines and requirements that make for a strong program as well as the need to hold dischargers accountable for reducing nitrate discharge with a focus on long-term solutions.
We will continue to follow conversions to push for protection against nitrate contamination.
20th Anniversary Flashbacks
CWC and AGUA are celebrating 20 years of water justice advocacy this year! As we gear up towards our big celebration in September (more to come), we are sharing some flashback moments from our archive!
Take a look at this story from June 2014 highlighting a key moment in our advocacy that shaped how drinking water infrastructure is funded:
Join the ongoing lucha today, and if you are interested in sponsoring our September celebration, please contact Katie Havens at katie.havens@communitywatercenter.org
CWC in the News
View all recent media here.
Welcome to the CWC Team!
Jasmine Ramirez joined Community Water Center in June 2026 as a Water Research Manager. Prior to joining CWC, Jasmine worked in community engagement and policy development related to Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation. Her experience includes supporting disadvantaged communities in groundwater planning and implementation, conducting policy analysis, strengthening public participation processes, and building partnerships that elevate community voices in water management decisions.
Jasmine holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology from UC Berkeley and a master's degree in Sociology from the University of Michigan. She is currently a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Michigan. She is passionate about combining research, data, and community expertise to advance equitable outcomes for underserved communities.
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:
Administrative Assistant - Visalia Office
The Administrative Assistant is a regular, part-time, non-exempt hourly position. This position will be responsible for serving as the first point of contact for all visitors, managing the daily administrative tasks, and assisting with the accounting process across the organization.
Community Solutions Advocate - Visalia Office
Responsible for organizing communities to advance solutions to address drinking water concerns in their project area, and advocate to address any barriers to advancing the Human Right to Water.
Human Resources Manager- Visalia Office
This role offers the opportunity to drive strong recruitment of talent, increase efficiency of hiring processes, take initiative, inform key decisions, and contribute to a positive, fast-paced work environment that drives organizational success.
Policy Advocate- Visalia Office
This position will primarily lead community-driven policy advocacy related to Sustainable Groundwater Management and Land Transition. This role requires an individual who can navigate the California water and policy landscape and can effectively coordinate with community residents, government agencies, and affiliate organizations.
Water Projects Manager- Visalia Office
Responsible for proactively managing and expediting drinking water projects from inception to completion and ensuring that information about drinking water problems and potential solutions is communicated effectively to impacted residents and that projects are responsive to community needs.
More information on CWC Careers here!
Community Resources
Drinking Water Tool
Visit the Drinking Water Tool to see who makes decisions 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. Use the tool 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, Carly Yoshida, Claire Sarraille, Claire Wilkens, F Thomas Biglione, Herbert G Cattanach, Jelle van Geuns, Jonathan Nelson, Kat Gilje, Kelsey Hinton, Kjirste Morrell, Kristin Dobbin, Lauren Gordon, Lou Riordan, Margaret Ferguson, Margaret Pedersen, Max Gomberg, Robert Kimberling, Sandi Matsumoto, Temma Kaplan, Wendy Hoben
June Donors
Alicia Barela and Vernell G Goehring
Be a water champion and support safe water for all.
