Water contamination

The protestors support three bills, including one that would establish a water rate assistance program to help low-income families pay their monthly bills.

Even though the state of California declared clean water as a human right a decade ago, some communities in rural California continue to face difficulties accessing water. That’s why Central Valley residents are traveling to Sacramento this week to protest.

A report issued by state auditors on Tuesday said that more than 900,000 Californians lack access to clean water and the state isn't acting fast enough to improve water quality. Most of the 370 failing water systems are in economically disadvantaged communities, many in the Central Valley.

California’s proposed limit for hexavalent chromium — the first in the nation — would raise water rates in many cities. The contaminant, linked to cancer, was made infamous by Erin Brockovich.

In our 2017 series Contaminated, we told the stories of communities throughout the San Joaquin Valley struggling to access safe drinking water. Since…

California farmers and environmental justice leaders are joining forces to support a bill that would help fund a clean drinking water program.The…