September Water Justice Pulse
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In this edition:
Dairies to be held Accountable 🐮
Leg Season Recap ✒️
20 Years of Lucha 🥳
Dear Supporter,
The AGUA Coalition sued the Regional Board back in 2007 because the Dairy Order did not adequately protect drinking water, and AGUA won the case. It’s been long-overdue, but this past month a more protective Dairy Order was finally adopted! Dairy farms are one of the largest sources of nitrate pollution in the San Joaquin Valley, and the Dairy Order limits the use of manure on dairy farms. Its primary goal is to protect drinking water by reducing the amount of nitrates released into groundwater.
Community partners demanded a stronger Dairy Order in 2016 highlighting the long fight to achieve this milestone.
Community partners gave public comments and made suggestions to strengthen the order. From this feedback, it is promising to see that there will be a shortened timeline to adopt a final Waste Discharge Requirement, the development of interim and final manure application rates to be met, and that dairies responsible for contaminating domestic wells must provide interim and long-term solutions.
CWC will continue to advocate for further strengthening of the Order to ensure ponds with heavy nitrate concentrations from manure may be lined to prevent it from seeping into groundwater. Step by step is how we fight to ensure regulations protect our drinking water.
Adelante,
Susana De Anda
Co-Founder and Executive Director
SAFER Secured and the Fight for Affordability Continues
Community partners rallied for SAFER and affordability this past August.
SAFER is safe!
The SAFER program just secured $171 million for the next year after Governor Newsom signed budget bills AB 113, SB114, and SB193 into law last month. Previously, SAFER had a $24 million funding estimate projected in July. This is a true testament to the power of unwavering community advocacy, partnerships with ally organizations, and the leadership of Senator Melissa Hurtado and Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria. Impacted communities organized to create this program, and while maintaining its funding for this year is a victory, the next step is working to guarantee $130 million annually to reaffirm the state’s commitment to a successful program for Californians in the long run.
Affordability is vetoed
Governor Gavin Newsom unfortunately vetoed SB 1125 (Menjivar) and AB 2739 (Soria), which together would have created a Water Rate Assistance Program and a funding source for water affordability. Passing these bills would have addressed water affordability and ensured that all families have access to safe and affordable water. The bill was negotiated with advocates, water systems, state agencies, legislators, and the governor’s office with broad support. It is disappointing to see such a strong effort rejected.
Despite this, the need to address unaffordable drinking water in California continues and our fight for a Water Rate Assistance Program is not over!
Follow our socials for updates as we plan for next year’s legislative session!
A Night of Joy!
Co-Founder Laurel Firestone with AGUA members at the 20th Anniversary celebration.
It was an honor and privilege to celebrate 20 years of water justice advocacy alongside community partners, allies, colleagues, and funders. This 20th anniversary was filled with good food, live music, and fun raffles where incredible milestones were celebrated.
When Susana De Anda started Community Water Center 20 years ago alongside Laurel Firestone, the Tulare County General Plan deemed 16 rural communities to have no real future, leaving them without access to clean water due to outdated water systems and no path for investment. These communities became the base for the AGUA Coalition and marked the beginning of a movement for water justice. Through decades of building power through community engagement and tenacious advocacy at all levels of government, we are now witnessing shovels be put into the ground in these communities.
A big thank you to everyone who joined in a night of joy and especially to all the water luchistas who have been a part of this movement over the years. CWC and AGUA will continue working until all communities have safe and affordable drinking water and we encourage you to join the movement today!
CWC in the News
View all recent media here.
Welcome to the CWC Team!
Monica Tapia
Monica Tapia is originally from Madera, California and joined the Community Water Center as an administrative assistant in September 2026. She holds a Business Administration certificate from San Joaquin Valley College.
Monica brings in 5 years of administrative experience and accounting from various types of offices including automotive, construction, and finance, all based in the central valley helping the surrounding communities. She
works closely with the administrative manager to provide the operations, facilities, and clerical support to the organization. Monica is excited to bring her significant background in serving customers and pride for team collaboration to all staff at CWC to help achieve the mission of the company so all communities can have access to clean, safe, and affordable water.
Outside of work she enjoys reading, hosting family events, and spending time with her pets.
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:
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.
More information on CWC Careers here!
Community Resources
Free Pilot Training Program on POU/POE Operations
Californians water systems staff, well professionals, and others interested in building their skills or starting their career in water can sign up for a bilingual (Eng/ Spa), free six-month pilot training program on POU/POE water treatment system basics. Applications are open from Oct. 1st - Oct. 30th. To apply click here and if you have any questions, join our CWC info session on Oct. 21st at 6 pm by registering 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
Thank you to our September donors!
Joanna Lopez, Vern Goehring, Adriana Becerra, Martha Guzman, Kat Gilje, Gregorio Marquez, Madeline Cortez, Tutuy Montes, Leticia Lopez, Raffa Chavez, Lourdes Salinas, Josette Lewis, Anthony Navasero, Cora Cliburn, Kayode Kadara, Eric Dominguez, Jenna Lopes, and Kristin Dobbin
Be a water champion and support safe water for all.
