Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Time to Pass Safe & Affordable Drinking Water Fund Legislation
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 7 years ago on
August 15, 2018

Share

Farmworkers plant and harvest the California fruits and vegetables that feed our families. But when they turn the faucets in their own homes, they too often encounter something unthinkable — contaminated water, infused with unsafe levels of arsenic or nitrates from fertilizer.
The presence of dangerous, undrinkable water in the homes of around a million Californians needs to be fixed. The contaminated water supplies tend to be located in rural communities throughout the state of California.

Kuyler Crocker
Opinion
Kuyler Crocker 

300 California Communities Have Contaminated Water

Too often, residents who help produce our food can’t drink their own local water without getting sick fearing serious illness. In roughly 300 communities across the state, contaminated water has forced schools to turn off faucets and residents to buy bottled water for drinking, cooking and washing.

The cost would be minimal, about 95 cents per month, less than a cup of coffee, with the lowest income residents of our state exempted.
.
A similar situation in our large cities or suburbs would ignite political upheaval. Emergencies would be declared. Solutions would be quickly forthcoming, regardless of the cost.
But in poorer, less populated regions of California, where water customers often rely on small water systems and private wells, the problem persists. Many smaller systems can’t afford to treat contaminated water.

Residents Pay Utility Bills & Still Must Buy Bottled Water

Even without access to clean water from the tap, customers still pay their monthly utility bill. They add to their troubles and expenses by having to buy bottled for drinking and cooking.
Some families in these communities pay up to 10 percent of their income for water when one accounts for both monthly bills and purchased water. If they can’t afford bottled water and instead drink from their taps, they run the risk of exposure to chemicals that cause birth defects, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
But a solution is on the horizon. Thanks to a collaborative effort among the agricultural industry, environmental groups, social and economic justice advocates and elected officials, an effort is moving through the state legislature to bring clean, safe, affordable water to everyone in California.
The creation of a Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund would secure an ongoing funding source that would allow smaller systems to deliver clean, safe and affordable water to customers, no matter their location or size.
The fund was originally introduced by Senate Majority Leader Bill Monning last year as SB 623. Gov. Jerry Brown then gave the effort a boost earlier this year by allocating $5 million for startup funds in his state budget proposal and making a commitment to introduce a trailer bill.

Ag & Social Justice Groups Back Effort To Help Residents

The permanent solution would require Californians to all come together and pitch in — a truly collective effort.
The cost would be minimal, about 95 cents per month, less than a cup of coffee, with the lowest income residents of our state exempted. The rewards would be substantial. Every water system in California would soon deliver clean, safe and affordable drinking water to consumers.

Despite bipartisan political support and the governor’s leadership, the legislation will need public pressure to reach approval.
The coalition to support the creation of this fund is impressive, with more than 100 backers. The Agricultural Council of California, Western Growers Association, California Citrus Mutual, California Rice Commission and the Western United Dairymen have all stepped up with support.
Also leading this effort has been representatives of social justice and environmental groups like the Community Water Center, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability and Clean Water Action. They are determined to work together to make the universal right of safe drinking water a reality in every California community.
Many Central Valley communities and water agencies have also taken a support position in recognition of the desperate need and the potentially transformative impact the new Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund would have on the Valley.

Farmers Agree To Contribute $30 Million Annually

In addition to the governor’s startup contribution, the agricultural industry has agreed to contribute $30 million a year to the fund.
At the state Capitol in Sacramento, a bipartisan alignment of legislators has been working to make the fund a reality. But success is not guaranteed. Despite bipartisan political support and the governor’s leadership, the legislation will need public pressure to reach approval.
Voters must let their legislators know it’s time to stop the shameful practice of forcing nearly one million of our fellow Californians to haul clean water home.
About the Author
Kuyler Crocker represents the First District on the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. The district covers the northeastern portion of Tulare County, including the communities of Exeter, Farmersville, Lemoncove, Lindsay, Strathmore, Three Rivers, and east Visalia, and portions of Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks and Sequoia National Forest.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

‘King of the Hill’ Voice Actor Jonathan Joss Fatally Shot Outside His Texas Home

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Crews Battle Active Wildfire in Yokuts Valley, Evacuation Warning Issued

DON'T MISS

Not Quite ‘Hunger Games,’ but Fresno Budget Hearings Start

DON'T MISS

Clovis CPA Sentenced to Prison for $800K Bank Fraud Scheme

DON'T MISS

His Gang Name Is ‘Goer.’ Now Fresno County Man Is Going to Prison for 20 Years

DON'T MISS

Missing Woman Found Dead in Fresno County Canal Identified

DON'T MISS

Co-Conspirator Sentenced in Fraud Involving Loans to Bitwise

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Stephanie Marie Zamarripa

DON'T MISS

Why Trump Is Mad at ‘Sleazebag’ Leonard Leo

DON'T MISS

Trump Amplifies Outlandish Robot Biden Conspiracy Theory

UP NEXT

Not Quite ‘Hunger Games,’ but Fresno Budget Hearings Start

UP NEXT

His Gang Name Is ‘Goer.’ Now Fresno County Man Is Going to Prison for 20 Years

UP NEXT

Missing Woman Found Dead in Fresno County Canal Identified

UP NEXT

Co-Conspirator Sentenced in Fraud Involving Loans to Bitwise

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Stephanie Marie Zamarripa

UP NEXT

Why Trump Is Mad at ‘Sleazebag’ Leonard Leo

UP NEXT

Madera County Authorities Seek Public’s Help Locating Missing At-Risk Man

UP NEXT

Madera County’s Rolling Hills Area Wildfire Prompts Evacuation Advisories

UP NEXT

Judge Rules Next Fresno County Sheriff, DA Elections Are in 2028

UP NEXT

Central Unified Trustees Choose Their Next Superintendent

Clovis CPA Sentenced to Prison for $800K Bank Fraud Scheme

5 hours ago

His Gang Name Is ‘Goer.’ Now Fresno County Man Is Going to Prison for 20 Years

5 hours ago

Missing Woman Found Dead in Fresno County Canal Identified

5 hours ago

Co-Conspirator Sentenced in Fraud Involving Loans to Bitwise

6 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Stephanie Marie Zamarripa

6 hours ago

Why Trump Is Mad at ‘Sleazebag’ Leonard Leo

6 hours ago

Trump Amplifies Outlandish Robot Biden Conspiracy Theory

6 hours ago

Madera County Authorities Seek Public’s Help Locating Missing At-Risk Man

7 hours ago

Mattel Is Combining Film and Television Units to Create Mattel Studios

7 hours ago

Campbell’s Co. Says Sales Rise as More Americans Cook at Home

7 hours ago

‘King of the Hill’ Voice Actor Jonathan Joss Fatally Shot Outside His Texas Home

HOUSTON — Jonathan Joss, a voice actor best known for his work on the animated television series “King of the Hill,” was fatally shot near h...

4 hours ago

Photo of caution tape
4 hours ago

‘King of the Hill’ Voice Actor Jonathan Joss Fatally Shot Outside His Texas Home

Fresno County fire crews are battling a wildland blaze in Yokuts Valley near Rector Lane, where the RECTOR incident has burned 10 acres with the potential to spread to 100 on Monday, June 2, 2025. (CalFire)
4 hours ago

Fresno County Crews Battle Active Wildfire in Yokuts Valley, Evacuation Warning Issued

5 hours ago

Not Quite ‘Hunger Games,’ but Fresno Budget Hearings Start

Photo of a laptop with a Department of Justice logo on the screens
5 hours ago

Clovis CPA Sentenced to Prison for $800K Bank Fraud Scheme

5 hours ago

His Gang Name Is ‘Goer.’ Now Fresno County Man Is Going to Prison for 20 Years

5 hours ago

Missing Woman Found Dead in Fresno County Canal Identified

6 hours ago

Co-Conspirator Sentenced in Fraud Involving Loans to Bitwise

Stephanie Marie Zamarripa is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for June 2, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
6 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Stephanie Marie Zamarripa

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend