Water quality in California can vary greatly by region and by supplier making it difficult to definitively answer the question of whether tap water is safe to drink.
To ensure safe drinking water Californians should research their local water system and consider testing their drinking water quality.
Unfortunately studies have found that 1 million Californians lack access to safe drinking water with communities of color disproportionately impacted by contaminated drinking water.
In order to ensure that all Californians have access to safe drinking water the state is working towards passing permanent and sustainable laws to protect our water quality.
California’s Water Quality
California’s water quality can range from excellent to poor depending on the region and the water supplier.
Generally the state of California’s water is good but it is important to research and test local water sources to ensure that they are safe to drink.
To find out more about specific water sources residents should research their local water system and consider testing their drinking water quality.
Poor Quality Water: A Reality for Many Californians
Unfortunately not all Californians have access to safe drinking water.
Studies have found that 1 million Californians lack access to safe drinking water with communities of color disproportionately impacted by contaminated drinking water.
This lack of access to safe drinking water can have serious public health consequences including increased risk of waterborne illnesses such as gastrointestinal illness and respiratory illness.
Human Right to Water Law
In response to the disparities in access to safe drinking water the state has passed a Human Right to Water Law which articulates the right to clean and affordable drinking water for people served by both community water systems and domestic wells.
The law is intended to provide an equitable and sustainable solution to ensure that all Californians have access to safe drinking water.
Goals of the Human Right to Water Law
The Human Right to Water Law has a number of goals including providing safe drinking water for all Californians protecting water sources from contamination and conserving water for future generations.
It also seeks to protect the most vulnerable communities such as low-income communities communities of color and rural communities by ensuring that they have access to safe drinking water.
Enforcement of the Human Right to Water Law
The Human Right to Water Law is enforced by a number of state agencies including the State Water Resources Control Board the California Department of Public Health and local health departments.
These agencies are responsible for ensuring that all Californians have access to clean and affordable drinking water and they are also responsible for enforcing the regulations set forth in the law.
Water Conservation
The Human Right to Water Law also seeks to promote water conservation which is essential for maintaining a healthy and sustainable water supply.
To accomplish this the law requires that water suppliers use best management practices for water conservation and water efficiency such as metering water reuse and water conservation pricing.
Public Participation in Water Policy
The Human Right to Water Law also encourages public participation in water policy.
This encourages local communities and individuals to take an active role in protecting their local water supply by providing input on water policy decisions and engaging in water conservation efforts.
Conclusion
Water quality in California varies by region and by supplier making it difficult to give an accurate answer as to whether tap water is safe to drink.
To ensure safe drinking water Californians should research their local water system and consider testing their drinking water quality.
The state of California is working towards passing permanent and sustainable laws to protect our water quality with the goal of providing safe drinking water for all Californians and protecting water sources from contamination.