Each year, one million Californians are exposed to unsafe drinking water. Approximately 300 water systems – spanning every region of the state –
fail to meet safe water standards. Contaminated water is a public health disaster – putting Californians at risk for cancer, birth defects, heart disease, diabetes and infant mortality.
To fix California's toxic taps crisis, community, health, labor, and business organizations and families living with contaminated water have come together to support legislation to create a sustainable Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund.
On July 24, 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation providing a source of funding needed to maintain safe, affordable water systems that serve our most vulnerable communities up and down the state. Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund Coalition members joined the governor in the Central Valley to mark this historic moment, noting "As Governor Newsom’s signature closes one chapter in our historic march toward justice, it begins a new phase in which communities will be vigilant that these funds are used swiftly and surely to realize the human right to safe, affordable drinking water across California.”
“Governor Newsom’s signature on SB 200 is a historic moment for the communities across our state who have worked for decades to secure the human right to safe, affordable drinking water. Through tireless work, organizing, advocacy and education, they raised awareness of and demanded justice for the one million Californians living with toxic taps."
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About 1 million Californians lack access to safe drinking water, according to the governor’s office. “The fact that more than a million Californians can’t rely on clean water to drink or bathe in is a moral disgrace,” Newsom said in a news release. “Parents shouldn’t have to worry about their kids drinking from the water fountain at school, and families shouldn’t have to dump water over their heads to shower every day.”
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Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed into law the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund bill in the tiny Fresno County community of Tombstone Territory — where residents rely on bottled water because the water from their private wells is contaminated. Starting next year, Senate Bill 200 will provide $130 million annually to clean up drinking water in California communities like Tombstone that lack access to safe water.
Read More[email protected]’s #CABudget invests $12.5 billion over the next five years for climate resiliency projects that include 💰 for:
➡️ Forest health & wildfire protection
➡️ Sustainable groundwater management
➡️ Safe drinking water 💧 #NoToxicTaps
➡️ Coastal wetland restoration
#NoToxicTaps: "If you don’t speak up for yourself no one will,” Maria Olivera said. “You have to keep working and keep trying to get what you need.” And congratulations to Maria, who will serve on the statewide advisory board.
https://t.co/Jm6FICDOB5
“If you don’t speak up for yourself no one will. You have to keep working and keep trying to get what you need.” #NoToxicTaps #SafeWaterForAll
https://t.co/4G3BYDsJdM
Another victory from 2019: Thanks to environmental groups and community advocacy this year, Central Valley dischargers now have 35, not 45 years to stop their pollution.
#NoToxicTaps #SafeWaterForAll
California Water Board OKs 35-Year Plan to Tackle Farm Pollution
California’s Central Valley yields billions of dollars’ worth of fruits and vegetables each year, but its aquifers are overused and pollut...
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