Septmeber eNews: Victories towards the Human Right to Water!
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Dear Supporter,
This month the Governor of California was present in East Orosi alongside AGUA coalition members to sign AB 805 and AB 2454 into law. These are major victories for East Orosi and California! Community Water Center has stood alongside East Orosi for over 17 years in the fight for clean water and reliable wastewater management advocating for solutions to make sure residents have access to basic services everyone needs.
AGUA coalition members with Assemblymember Dr. Arambula, Tulare County District 4 Supervisor Eddie Valero, SWRCB Chair Joaquin Esquivel and Governor Gavin Newsom present for the signing of AB 805 and AB 2454.
Residents in East Orosi have long struggled to pay for their wastewater bill, most recently losing access to pay their bill completely since the office has been closed for 2 months and there is no one available to answer their questions. AB 805 will change this allowing the State Water Board to appoint and fund an administrator for failing wastewater systems. And this isn’t the only support we are seeing for East Orosi. In DC, Jim Costa, who represents part of the San Joaquin Valley in the US House of Representatives, supported pushing for one million for East Orosi wastewater infrastructure. With reliable administration and funding, East Orosi will see the improved services and infrastructure they long fought for!
Additionally, Governor Newsom signed AB 2454, which makes sure Californians who are renting their homes can access safe drinking water. It will give tenants the right to have their domestic wells tested for contamination, and tap into key services like bottled and hauled water in areas where emergency programs exist for contamination or dry wells.
This is democracy at work and it only happened because of the tireless advocacy from our community partners and our representatives who listened and took action to make this possible together. These successes are just the beginning for East Orosi and California and we will take this momentum to make safe drinking water resources and reliable wastewater systems a reality for all!
Adelante,
Susana De Anda
Co-Founder and Executive Director
AGUA goes to DC!
Residents from the Central Valley and the Central Coast in front of the White House before a roundtable with leaders.
For the second year in a row CWC was excited to take AGUA coalition members to Washington DC. AGUA members shared a need for a permanent water affordability program and raised concerns about the House of Representatives making major cuts to critical programs like the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs). These cuts are devastating when the State Water Board identified a $5.5 billion dollar gap in grant funds to address drinking water needs in California. Congress must support more funding for infrastructure and equitable access for all communities. Community partners were clear, California cannot afford to put more pressure on programs like SAFER and domestic well communities cannot be left behind.
Central Valley and Central Coast residents also advocated for affordability sharing their experiences with unaffordable water. We need Congress to extend the Low-income Household Water Affordability Program and address water debt. Make no mistake, this is a temporary solution while we work towards a permanent program that addresses unaffordable drinking water before residents fall into debt. Now more than ever it is important to bring community voices and experiences directly to the nation’s leaders to share firsthand what our needs are on the ground.
We will keep advocating at a state and federal level to ensure water justice for all, so follow our socials to track our actions!
10 años de SGMA y la protección de las aguas subterráneas en acción
Community residents from the Tule Subbasin joined Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability and Community Water Center to speak on a community panel advocating for the protection of the groundwater they rely on.
In the San Joaquin Valley, 95 percent of people rely on groundwater for drinking water, cooking, bathing and household needs. It is urgent we end the overpumping of groundwater and protect this valuable resource for years to come. The State Water Board voted this month to place the Tule Subbasin under probation following the decision to do the same in the Tulare Lake Subbasin this past April.
Community members spoke on a panel explaining they were facing the consequences of over pumping now and being forced to buy and rely on alternative water sources for their everyday needs. We cannot wait to solve problems like low water pressure, dry wells, and increased contamination.
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was created ten years ago to manage groundwater sustainably in the face of over pumping, dry wells, and groundwater contamination. Probation is a tool within SGMA to make sure the State has authority to force changes on inadequate groundwater management plans that allow domestic wells to run dry. On probation, industrial pumpers must pay fees, submit groundwater extraction reports, and install well meters so the State can understand how much groundwater is being used. The goal is to develop plans that meet the requirements set under SGMA.
We will keep communicating this urgency as we prepare for the Kaweah basin probationary hearing in January 2025.
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:
Communications Intern - Visalia, or Sacramento Office
Help serve as a resource for information and a center of expertise on community water challenges through social media, the website, and media.
Receptionist and Administrative Assistant - Visalia Office
Responsible for enthusiastically greeting in-person guests to the Visalia office, routing phone calls, managing the daily administrative tasks, and providing clerical and program support across CWC three offices.
Water Policy Intern - Visalia, or Sacramento Office
Work on supporting CWC’s regulatory advocacy focused on directing drinking water investments to California Disadvantaged communities living with contaminated drinking water.
More information on CWC Careers here!
Welcome to the CWC Team!
Saul Reyes
Saul joined Community Water Center as a Community Solutions Advocate in August 2024, bringing with him a strong background in technology and community advocacy.
Previously, Saul worked as a software engineer at 2ndNature, where he made significant contributions to the company's software products focused on enhancing clean water solutions and stormwater management.
Saul co-found SOMOS: The Central Coast Technology Association, where he serves as President. Through SOMOS, Saul organized events and built networks to empower tech professionals in Watsonville and Salinas.
Saul earned his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science & Engineering from the University of California, Merced. Outside of work, Saul enjoys running, playing soccer, and engaging with his local community.
Katie Havens
Katie joined CWC as a Development DIrector. Previously, she served as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at CLEAN International, where she worked with diverse partners on international and domestic water projects. Prior to that, Katie was the California Director at SOURCE Global, a drinking water technology company. Katie has held key development roles and served as a consultant for various nonprofit and social impact organizations.
Katie holds an MBA from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University, specializing in Social Impact, Leadership and Organizational Transformation, and Strategy, as well as a BA in Political Science from Sonoma State University.
She serves as a Board Member and treasurer for the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE) in California. Born and raised in San Diego, Katie now resides in Los Angeles, CA. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.
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.
Bessma Mourad, Bob Simone, Carly Yoshida, Claire Sarraille, Claire Wilkens, Elizabeth Callaway, F Thomas Biglione, Jonathan Nelson, Jose Pablo Ortiz Partida, Kat Gilje, Kelsey Hinton, Kirk Demartini, Kristin Dobbin, Lauren Gordon, Max Meyer, Natalie Garcia-Grazier, Temma Kaplan, Tori Klug, Kelsey Hinton, Lauren Gordon
Thank you to our September donors!
Lucas J. Watson and Jody Chang
Be a water champion and support safe water for all.
