May eNews: Breaking Ground for Clean Water!
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Dear Supporter,
The communities of Springfield in the Central Coast and West Goshen in the Central Valley broke ground on projects that will bring safe water! In Monterey County, many families currently rely on drinking water contaminated with nitrate and 1,2,3-trichloropropane (123-TCP) found at concerning levels up to five times the allowed legal limit. Now, up to 158 households will be connected with Pajaro/Sunny Mesa Community Services District marking a difference for the future.
Ignacio Garcia, community leader from Springfield speaking before the audience gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the consolidation project.
In Tulare County, families have struggled with years of concerning levels of contaminants including nitrate, 1,2,3-trichloropropane, and uranium and periods of drought and dry wells. The community is set to overcome these issues with 43 households connecting to California Water Service.
These projects have been years in the making and are the result of community advocacy, local partnership, and state support. The message is clear, communities deserve to turn on their tap and have safe water flow from it. These victories are possible when we can access programs like SAFER to fund community led solutions. We’ll keep working with communities and allies to continue these victories until all Californians achieve water justice!
Community meets with over 50 Legislative Representatives!
Community partners from the Central Valley and the Central Coast with CWC staff in the Sacramento Swing space ready to meet with legislators
Community members from the Central Valley and the Central Coast made a powerful showing in California's capital. Almost 50 residents made themselves heard to legislative representatives, uplifting these priorities:
Keep pushing for water affordability: SB 350 (Durazo) was held in appropriations and will not move forward this year. But community partners made clear prices are still rising, and we need water to be affordable. The Legislature needs to make this a priority next year.
Extend SAFER: Community partners highlighted how SAFER is working to move water projects forward in the state, especially for rural communities. This is why we need SAFER to be extended past 2030 and to remove its artificial cap so we can invest properly in water infrastructure.
Implement Prop 4 and protect the PSMS Project: Californians voted to pass a $10 billion Climate Bond to fund safe drinking water projects. While at the federal level there is no funding and communities like PSMS are losing grants, California can step up and use Prop 4 funds to maintain progress. Climate and water issues cannot be put on hold so this key infrastructure can’t either.
We appreciate community partners making themselves present and sharing their stories to move legislation forward.
Stay tuned to our socials as we keep highlighting the progress in our fight to advance the Human Right to Water!
Thank you for Joining National Drinking Water Week
CWC Staff Maricela Mares-Alatorre and Miguel Rojas-Flores lead a water loteria game with community partners.
National Drinking Water Week was a success! The week was full of meaningful activities, conversations, and community moments that included:
Virtual Panel in English
We kicked off the week with a powerful discussion featuring Senator Bill Monning, Joaquín Esquivel (State Water Board), and Erick Orellana (CWC). Together, they explored the impact of the SAFER program and why renewing it is vital for real, on-the-ground water solutions. Watch the panel recording here.
Virtual Panel in Spanish
Our Spanish panel brought together AGUA leaders Ignacio Garcia, Silverio Perez, Maria Luisa Muñoz, and CWC Co-founder Susana De Anda to discuss what SAFER means to their communities and why its renewal is crucial. Watch the Spanish panel here.
AGUA Coalition Celebration
To wrap up the week, the AGUA Coalition gathered at our Visalia office for a festive celebration with arts and crafts, lotería, and prizes—a reminder of the vibrant community at the heart of this work.
Thank you to everyone who participated, organized, and supported these events. Together, we’re making the Human Right to Water a reality.
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:
Part-Time Invoice Processing Assistant- Visalia Office
Essential role in keeping our billing data organized and supporting our contract invoicing process.
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, Elizabeth Callaway, 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, Tori Klug, Wendy Hoben
Be a water champion and support safe water for all.
