Joint Statement by State Water Board and CDFA on Commitment to Safe, Clean Drinking Water

SACRAMENTO – Karen  Ross,  secretary  of  the    California Department of Food and Agriculture, and Felicia Marcus, Chair of the State Water Resources Control Board released the following statement on Senate Bills 844 and 845:    

“An unprecedented  coalition  of  environmental         justice  groups;  faith-based  organizations;  rural counties; farmers and ranchers and their associations came together on a solution for this statewide problem – yet it was unsuccessful. A vote on safe drinking water for hundreds of thousands of Californians didn’t happen,” Ross said. “We remain optimistic that a solution will be reached – addressing the challenges of unsafe levels of arsenic, nitrates, uranium and other chemicals that make tap water in a number of homes throughout the state undrinkable. We will get this resolved.”

“California missed an opportunity to lead today. Without a stable funding source to help communities afford 21st century treatment, we are left with piecemeal solutions that can’t do the job,” said Marcus “These bills could have added that missing piece. The historic coalition of allies behind the bills will welcome others who step up with real solutions rather than lip-service about implementing the human right to water.”