Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Hurtado Announces $15M for Valley Drinking Water
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 5 years ago on
June 17, 2019

Share

Failing water systems throughout the southern San Joaquin Valley will get a $15 million boost thanks to the efforts of state Sen. Melissa Hurtado, a Sanger Democrat.
“Access to clean drinking water is one of the main reasons why I chose to run for office,” Hurtado said in a news release Monday. “One million-plus people don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water, and this issue disproportionately affects my community. … ”

Picture of Melissa Hurtado
“It truly was an all-encompassing effort recognizing that an economy that leaves an entire region behind isn’t a sustainable economy, and it starts with our most basic human needs – access to clean drinking water.” — State Sen. Melissa Hurtado

Stratford Among Several Communities With Water Woes

Hurtado cited the plight of residents in the Kings County farming community of Stratford as an example of the Valley’s failing water systems.
In August 2018, both of Stratford’s wells failed, leaving families and children without potable water. Until the wells were fixed, the Stratford Public Utility District handed out free bottled water. But residents still lacked water for bathing and flushing toilets. And schools had to bring in portable restrooms for students.

Hurtado Cites Leadership by Newsom, Atkins

“We could not have accomplished this alone,” Hurtado said. “The leadership from Gov. Gavin Newsom to Senate Leader Toni Atkins have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to uplift underrepresented communities.
“Moreover, local community leaders and activists dedicated countless hours to elevating the issues to a state and federal level. It truly was an all-encompassing effort recognizing that an economy that leaves an entire region behind isn’t a sustainable economy, and it starts with our most basic human needs – access to clean drinking water.”

Projects That Will Be Funded

Here is how the funding is allocated:

  • $2.5 million for temporary water tanks for households in communities like Porterville and Stratford that have dry wells.
  • $3 million for the city of Sanger to repair a water tank and a well.
  • $1 million to connect Tombstone to Sanger’s centralized water system.
  • $2.5 million for a new water and tertiary treatment plant for Tulare County.
  • $1 million to repair water systems in Fresno and Tulare counties to improve water access in communities like Orosi and Del Rey.
  • $1.5 million for a storm drain, groundwater recharge, and a multi-use canal trail in Selma.
  • $1 million to replace a well in Dinuba.
  • $2.5 million to bring communities into compliance with safe drinking water standards and remove arsenic from water in communities like Alpaugh and Arvin.

The proposals are included in this year’s budget bill, AB 74, which is on the governor’s desk.

DON'T MISS

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP Pick in 2000, Dead at 82

DON'T MISS

Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case

DON'T MISS

CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?

DON'T MISS

House Speaker Mike Johnson Headed to Fresno on April 4

DON'T MISS

Police Had About 90 Seconds to Stop Traffic Before Baltimore Bridge Fell. 6 Workers Are Feared Dead

DON'T MISS

NBC Has Cut Ties With Former RNC Head Ronna McDaniel After Employee Objections, Some on the Air

DON'T MISS

Chinese Leader Xi Issues a Positive Message to US Business Leaders as Ties Improve

DON'T MISS

You Might Spot a Mountain Lion in California, But Attacks Like the One That Killed a Man Are Rare

DON'T MISS

Fresno Mayor Dyer Is the Man in Japan

DON'T MISS

Cargo Ship Lost Power, Issued Mayday Before Hitting Baltimore’s Bridge

No data was found

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP Pick in 2000, Dead at 82

14 hours ago

Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case

15 hours ago

CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?

16 hours ago

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Sets a Record After Wall Streets Breaks Out of Its Lull

16 hours ago

House Speaker Mike Johnson Headed to Fresno on April 4

16 hours ago

Bredefeld, Smittcamp Debate the Salary of Valley Children’s CEO

16 hours ago

CA’s Liberal Government Has a Long History of Caving to Special Interests

17 hours ago

Corrupt Process? Bullard, Edison Parents Blast Handling of Superintendent Search

17 hours ago

Police Had About 90 Seconds to Stop Traffic Before Baltimore Bridge Fell. 6 Workers Are Feared Dead

18 hours ago

NBC Has Cut Ties With Former RNC Head Ronna McDaniel After Employee Objections, Some on the Air

18 hours ago

Supermom Carmi Is Ready to Be Embraced by Her Forever Family

Carmi, an incredible 1-year-old kitten mama, can be very gentle but can also get overstimulated and give love bites. Even her warm, honey-co...
Animals /

1 hour ago

Animals /
1 hour ago

Supermom Carmi Is Ready to Be Embraced by Her Forever Family

9 hours ago

Ukrainian Navy Says a Third of Russian Warships in the Black Sea Have Been Destroyed or Disabled

Composite image of President Trump and Devin Nunes
13 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: How Going to Work for Trump Turned Devin Nunes Into a Millionaire

14 hours ago

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP Pick in 2000, Dead at 82

15 hours ago

Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case

16 hours ago

CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?

16 hours ago

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Sets a Record After Wall Streets Breaks Out of Its Lull

16 hours ago

House Speaker Mike Johnson Headed to Fresno on April 4

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend