More than 300 California communities lack access to clean drinking water.
Last fall, a bill with a proposed solution passed the state senate but has since remained in limbo, receiving both broad support and opposition—even in the San Joaquin Valley.
They voiced their support of Senate Bill 623, which would establish a fund to help communities like theirs obtain safe drinking water.
But at the same Assembly subcommittee hearing where Garcia and Solorio supported the bill, many groups spoke out against it.
The reason: The fund would come from a statewide tax on water bills, as well as fees on some growers.
One group opposed is the city of Fresno.
“We do agree that there is a need for safe drinking water, but we oppose the water tax,” she said.
The Association of California Water Agencies, the League of California Cities, and a variety of municipal water districts also voiced their concerns about the bill.
“If you are in the Central Valley, it seems to me that we have an extra special obligation to make sure that we’re joining hands together to ensure that all of our fellow Californians that live, reside, work in the Valley can have access to safe drinking water,” Nelson said.
A state representative confirmed as much at last week’s hearing.

It was in response to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lifetime health advisory for certain chemicals used in a variety of commercial products since the 1950’s.
Those chemicals are found in firefighting foam the Navy has used to put out aircraft fires during training and incidents.
Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field (MCOLF) Atlantic is in the community of Atlantic.
Cherry Point Communications Officer Mike Barton explained while records have not yet shown that firefighting foam was ever used at Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field (MCOLF) Atlantic, the Navy is still testing water in Atlantic as a precaution.
Barton said of the 223 drinking water wells that were tested, samples from two drinking water wells indicated the presence of these chemicals exceeding the EPA Health Advisory.
Water testing is now in its second round of testing in Atlantic.
Barton said the Navy is now providing bottled water to the residents in the two homes where the private wells tested for the chemicals in an amount exceeding the EPA Health Advisory.
The Navy, in a release, provided the following information on the chemicals they are testing for: In May 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued lifetime health advisory levels for two perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – specifically perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) – at 70 parts per trillion, individually and combined when both are present.
It has been used in a variety of products and substances such as non-stick cookware, food packaging such as microwaveable popcorn bags, and water resistant textiles and sprays used to treat carpets and fabrics.
Although there are no known records indicating AFFF was used at MCOLF Atlantic, based on the Navy’s policy protocol, the Navy is voluntarily conducting this drinking water investigation for PFOS/PFOA.

The documentary, titled “The Power of Clean Water,” follows the lives of three women and their families, providing a first-hand perspective on the daily challenges of accessing clean drinking water.
Global awareness of the water crisis is growing, but in the US, many are still unaware of how many people struggle with the daily reality of not having access to clean water, something P&G sought to explore by commissioning a new survey to be released along with the documentary.
Survey findings show that most consumers are concerned about the safety of their drinking water, but do not know that approximately 1 in 10 people around the world lack access to clean drinking water.
Survey findings further highlighted that Americans are largely unaware of the progress that has been made to date to address the global water crisis.
Nearly 70 per cent of respondents believe that the crisis has stayed the same or gotten worse, with almost one in four saying that the problem has become much worse.
2.6 billion people have gained access to clean water in the last 25 years but there are still 844 million people yet to reach.
The P&G program, which started in 2004, works with more than 150 partners and organisations to provide water purification technology to communities that lack clean drinking water.
To learn more about the P&G CSDW Program, visit www.csdw.org.
To view all the video highlights of the documentary, visit this playlist.
The full documentary will be available at this site on March 22.

CINCINNATI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Procter & Gamble’s (P&G) non-profit Children’s Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) Program and National Geographic are raising awareness about the global water crisis with the release of a new documentary and national survey in conjunction with World Water Day.
“This documentary reflects the very real and powerful stories of people whose lives have been impacted by programs that provide access to clean drinking water, and we are proud to join P&G to continue to drive awareness around this pressing issue and reach others in need.” Tweet this Global awareness of the water crisis is growing, but in the U.S., many are still unaware of how many people struggle with the daily reality of not having access to clean water, something P&G sought to explore by commissioning a new survey to be released along with the documentary.
Survey findings show that most consumers are concerned about the safety of their drinking water, but do not know that approximately 1 in 10 people around the world lack access to clean drinking water.
2.6 billion people have gained access to clean water in the last 25 years but there are still 844 million people yet to reach.
People in countries like Mexico, Indonesia and Kenya struggle with finding clean water to drink.
“Our goal, in partnering with National Geographic, is to share these stories about the power of clean water and to inspire others to make a difference and become a part of the solution.” “At National Geographic, we believe that great storytelling can spark curiosity, help solve big problems, and push the boundaries of what we already know,” said Jill Cress, chief marketing officer of National Geographic Partners.
“This documentary reflects the very real and powerful stories of people whose lives have been impacted by programs that provide access to clean drinking water, and we are proud to join P&G to continue to drive awareness around this pressing issue and reach others in need.” The P&G CSDW Program, which started in 2004, works with more than 150 partners and organizations to provide water purification technology to communities that lack clean drinking water.
To learn more about the P&G CSDW Program, visit www.csdw.org.
About National Geographic Partners National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets.
NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses.

An Ofsted inspector also found the quality of teaching to be weak at Music Box nursery in Salisbury Street, and that communication with parents was not always effective.
Inspector Trish Turney visited the Music Box at the start of February and published her findings this week.
She said in her report: "Children do not receive the support they need to make progress in their learning, particularly in their communication and language development.
They do not develop confidence or learn to participate in activities for long periods of time.
They have little motivation to play and learn.
"Children do not gain the key skills to help prepare them for the next stage of their learning or eventual move to school."
Temperature She added: "Staff do not always implement effective measures to keep children safe.
The premises are not always secure.
Unauthorised persons can enter the building and the nursery rooms without staff’s knowledge.
The temperature in the nursery is too low and staff do not ensure children have regular access to drinking water."

Representatives of the High-Level Panel on Water (HLPW) have handed over the HLPW outcome to the UN Secretary General (SG) António Guterres and senior representative of the World Bank president.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Masud Bin Momen joined the event at UN secretary general’s office in the UN headquarters on behalf of the prime minister on Wednesday, said a press release on Thursday.
After handing over the outcome documents, Ambassador Masud said the outcome package that they have handed over “will provide the governments and all stakeholders guidance to carry out meaningful water actions to implement the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] and to create a water-secure world for all.” Mentioning that water and environment remains at the centre of the development priorities of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Masud said under the premier’s visionary leadership, Bangladesh has earned global recognition as a champion for ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation for all.
“In a country of more than 160 million people, nearly everyone can access safe drinking water.
Now, our target is to ensure direct access to safe drinking water for all by 2020,” he said.
The ambassador also mentioned that Bangladesh values water as a right, and as a tool to ensure human dignity.
He expressed his sincere appreciation to the HLPW leaders for their commitment, guidance, and hard work.
Mentioning that climate change and frequent disasters have exacerbated the crisis of safe water across the world, the UN Secretary General (SG) António Guterres assured that the proposals for accelerated water actions of HLPW leaders would be taken very seriously by the UN.
António Guterres also hoped that the governments of member states would also take guidance from these recommendations while implementing water actions at the national level.

Today’s “crisis in water and sanitation is—above all—a crisis of the poor,” says the UN Development Program study: “Beyond Scarcity: Power, Poverty and the Water Crisis.” “No intervention has greater overall impact upon national development and public health than the provision of safe drinking water and proper disposal of human waste,” a report stated.
There are two ways malunggay seeds can treat water.
“Treatments with moringa solutions have been found to remove 90 [percent] to 99.9 percent of the impurities in water.” In general, one malunggay seed kernel can treat 1 liter of water.
Here’s how to use malunggay seeds in treating water.
Shell the seeds (remove the seed coat) to obtain clean seed kernels; discard discolored seeds.
Mix the paste and once cup of clean water into a bottle and shake for one minute to activate the coagulant properties and form a solution.
When the particles and contaminants have settled to the bottom, the clean water can be carefully poured off.
Let it cool for few more minutes before drinking the water.
“First, the process of shaking and stirring must be followed closely to activate the coagulant properties; if the flocculation process takes too long, there is a risk of secondary bacteria growth during flocculation,” the Echo says.
It is acceptable for drinking only where people are currently drinking untreated, contaminated water.” Meanwhile, election is fast approaching.

BHUBANESWAR: The State Cabinet on Wednesday approved several schemes in health and drinking water sectors, including the universal eye health programme, with an expected expenditure of around `2,000 crore to cater primarily to rural population.
The eye health programme, to be implemented for a period of five years from 2018-19 with an estimated cost of `682 crore, aims to generate a baseline data of prevalence of eye diseases in the State through a sample survey, Chief Secretary A P Padhi told mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting.
All diabetic and glaucoma patients will be screened regularly to reduce the prevalence of irreversible blindness in the State, he added.
Five lakh spectacles will be distributed to students under the programme, the Chief Secretary said and added that mobile eye care van will be stationed at all the 30 districts.
Besides, eye care facilities in seven medical colleges will be upgraded, he said.
The Cabinet approved a new scheme, ‘Strengthening of ancillary services in public health facilities’ with a budget of `550.24 crore for five years from 2018-19 to cover 1,814 health institutions.
The Chief Secretary said cleaning and security services implemented in first referral units (FRUs) through outsourced units will be augmented from April 1, 2018 under the new scheme.
The scheme will be implemented under the overall guidance of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS), he said.
The estimated cost for provision of free diagnostic and dialysis services for all types of patients at public health facilities will be around `596.28 crore for five years.
Universal eye health programme The Council of Ministers approved the budget for 2018-19, which is likely to touch `1,20,000 crore The eye health programme aims to generate a baseline data of prevalence of eye diseases in the State through a sample survey Five lakh spectacles will be distributed to students under the programme Provision of `1,000 crore in 2018-19 under BASUDHA scheme to ensure every rural household has access to safe water Proposal for amendment to Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956 to enforce the provision of display of signboard in Odia language prominently by the employers of all shops and commercial establishments of the State approved

BHUBANESWAR: The state cabinet today approved several schemes in the health and drinking water sectors including the universal eye health programme with an expected expenditure of around Rs 2000 crore to cater primarily to rural population.
The eye health programme to be implemented for a period of five years from 2018-19 with estimated cost of `682 crore aims to generate a baseline data of prevalence of eye diseases in the state through a sample survey, chief secretary AP Padhi told mediapersons after the cabinet meeting.
Five lakh spectacles will be distributed to students under the programme, the chief secretary said and added that mobile eye care van will be stationed at all the 30 districts.
The cabinet approved a new scheme, ‘Strengthening of ancillary services in public health facilities’ with a budget of `550.24 crore for five years from 2018-19 to cover 1814 health institutions.
Out of the total cost, `123.88 crore will be met from the National Health Mission (NHM) fund and `426.36 crore will be provided from the state budget, Padhi said.
The chief secretary said cleaning and security services implemented in first referral units (FRUs) through outsourced units will be augmented from April 1, 2018 under the new scheme.
Subsequently, it will be further strengthened with additional services linen and laundry, lift services wherever required through fresh tendering process.
The scheme will be implemented under the overall guidance of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKSs), he said.
The estimated cost for provision of free diagnostic and dialysis services for all types of patients at public healh facilities will be around Rs 596.28 crore for five years.
Besides, the scheme also aims to increase minimum supply level in pipe water project from 40 litres per capital per day to 70 litres per capita per day.

That water is delivered from a patchwork of community water systems that often don’t meet state or federal standards for drinking water or from private wells that are not tested.
Most people without safe water, or about 99,000 residents, live near a public water system with clean water.
Practical solutions Ways safe drinking water can be achieved, according to the report, include: * Develop and strengthen consolidation and service extension mandates and incentives for cities, counties and community water systems; * Create larger, more stable, and more equitably distributed and coordinated sources of funding for drinking water systems; * Improve public access to data and planning tools; enhance existing data systems and coordinate water monitoring efforts.
Students in the UCD School of Law Aoki Water Justice Clinic have been meeting with these communities to secure funding to build that infrastructure.
Law students are also working with community organizations seeking policy changes to increase access to safe drinking water for low-income Californians.
The study’s purpose is to inform state policy and local planning in order to improve access to safe drinking water for these communities.
People of color made up a majority of those without safe water, the Center for Regional Change study found.
For example, while Hispanics make up just under half, or 49 percent, of the total population of the San Joaquin Valley, they represent more than two-thirds of residents in these unincorporated communities and 57 percent of all residents served by out-of-compliance water systems.
— UC Davis News School of Law Water Justice Clinic The Aoki Water Justice Clinic combines transactional law, policy advocacy, and strategic research to ensure low-income California communities receive clean, safe and affordable drinking water.
* Students are leading or supporting research collaborations, including partnerships with the UCD Center for Regional Change, UC Cooperative Extension, and UC Berkeley School of Law’s Wheeler Water Institute.