The Human Right To Water In Poor Communities Of Color

Since the state enacted the Human Right to Water Legislation (AB 685) eight years ago, California has added more regulatory authority and more funding to help small disadvantaged or severely disadvantaged community water systems. The California Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) can order mandatory consolidation to merge failing community systems with another, higher-functioning water system. The State Water Board is authorized to issue an enforcement order to mandate that water systems meet water quality standards. Other recent legislation authorizes the State Water Board to designate an Interim Administrator to manage the system, improve it, or consolidate the water system with another. The newly enacted Safer and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) drinking water program calls for annual appropriation of $130 million dollars for ten years to address the problems of disadvantaged community water systems.

This report identifies the 64 community water systems in Los Angeles County serving disadvantaged or severely disadvantaged populations.