The Human Right to Water Act, AB 684, just passed both houses of the California Legislature. It is now on Governor Brown’s desk to sign into state law and policy.  
 

To ensure Governor Brown signs AB 685 this month, we invite one last action by California WILPFers. Please print out this petition to have your family and friends sign so all Californians can have access to safe, affordable water for drinking, cooking and sanitation. One petition page from many CA WILPFers will let the Governor know the extent of grassroots support. It’s been four long years to get to this point!

Mail to the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry Action Network, CA, 717 K St. #514, Sacramento, CA 95814 to be delivered before September 13 or FAX to: 916 441-0015.  On September 13 or shortly thereafter, a delegation of the Save Water Alliance (California) of which WILPF U.S. is a member will meet with the Governor’s office to deliver letters and petitions.

On September 13, a delegation of the Save Water Alliance (California) of which WILPF, U.S. is a member, will meet with the Governor’s office to deliver petitions.  We want to be sure the Governor knows the grassroots want him to sign.

Water is essential to life. All Californians need access to safe, affordable water for drinking, cooking and sanitation. However, millions of Californians are living with toxic tap water at home and/or in school. While billions are spent on water infrastructure in California, low-income families and communities are being left behind.  Low-income families in California who struggle with polluted water service in their home are forced to buy bottled water to safeguard family health – spending up to 10-20% of their income on water and sanitation.  And the health impacts from polluted water are severe and impact the most vulnerable: infants, the young and elderly. The status quo in California is both a water and a moral crisis.  California’s current water policies have proved to be inadequate to the task.  As we chart our course toward an uncertain hydrological future, AB 685 will help California to balance the needs of families, with those of the environment and the economy.

Image: Human-right-to-water activists in Sacramento in April 2011. Photo courtesy of Anne Hoffman.