Improving Water Equity in Southern California

‘Water inequity’ was recently listed as the number six ranked challenge among Southern California’s top ten most pressing water infrastructure issues.

Water inequity is the notion that in comparison with all other communities in our region, low-income neighborhoods are more likely to have the poorest water quality, most unreliable water service, and highest water bills.? There are several contributing factors, including:

• Lack of funding for water infrastructure upgrades
• Older water infrastructure that is more likely to break down
• High concentration of poverty and unemployment, which makes it difficult for residents to pay for water

Communities who most commonly encounter water inequity include:

Southern California immigrants.? In this community, language barriers, lack of awareness about local water resources and water conservation, and fear of deportation (undocumented immigrants) have aligned to discourage any reporting of water quality problems or water shutoffs.

Communities of color. Communities of color are disproportionately affected by water equity issues. This is due to a number of factors, including:

• Systemic discrimination has led to the concentration of low-income and immigrant communities in communities of color.
• Lack of political representation; no one advocates for their water needs.???
• Environmental racism in cases where polluting industries are located within communities of color.Such has been the situation for citizens living and doing business in East Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Valley, and Imperial Valley for decades. ?These communities limp along with old and outdated water infrastructure that is prone to breaks and leaks, live among industrial polluters, and lack political representation.? At the same time, when they do have water, the service is mostly unreliable, and always more expensive than in other areas.? Compounding the problem, the Imperial Valley is also heavily dependent on groundwater for its water supply; however, it’s also a drought prone region, groundwater levels have been declining for decades (a topic we’ve recently discussed in other blogs). ?Also, many residents of the Imperial Valley are low-income without the resources to pay for water in the first place.These communities need to be prioritized for water infrastructure upgrades and water conservation programs in order to ensure that everyone in the region has access to safe, reliable, and affordable water.

?t’s a bleak picture, but help is on the way to provide these Californians with cleaner, more reliable, less expensive sources of safe water.? Plans and projects which are currently in development include:

• Investing in water infrastructure upgrades: One of the most important ways to create water equity is to invest in water infrastructure upgrades. This includes upgrading old and outdated water pipes, water treatment plants, and reservoirs. This will help to improve water quality, reliability, and affordability for all residents.
• Creating water conservation programs: Water conservation programs are another important way to create water equity. These programs can help residents to reduce their water usage and save money on their water bills. Water conservation programs should be targeted to low-income and immigrant communities, as these communities are often the most vulnerable to water shortages.Providing financial assistance to low-income residents: Low-income residents often struggle to pay their water bills. Financial assistance programs can help these residents to afford water and prevent them from being disconnected from their water service.
• Providing language assistance: Many residents of Southern California do not speak English as a first language. This can make it difficult for them to understand water conservation rules and regulations, to report water quality problems, or to advocate for their water needs. Language assistance programs can help to bridge this language gap and ensure that all residents have access to the information and resources they need to manage their water use.

Addressing environmental racism: Environmental racism is a form of discrimination that occurs when polluting industries are disproportionately sited in communities of color. This can contaminate water supplies and make it difficult for residents to access safe water. Addressing environmental racism is an important step towards creating water equity in Southern California.

There are several planned projects that would address water infrastructure upgrades in these low-income areas.? Some of these projects include:

The East Los Angeles Watershed Master Plan (East Los Angeles County Waterworks District)

The San Gabriel Valley Water Infrastructure Improvement Plan (Los Angeles County Department of Public Works)

Summary: This plan calls for a $2.5 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades in the San Gabriel Valley. The plan includes projects to upgrade water pipes, water treatment plants, and reservoirs. It also includes projects to improve water quality and reliability, and to create more drought-resistant landscaping in the community. ?

Timing: The plan is expected to be completed in 2027, and construction on the projects included in the plan is expected to begin in 2028.

Status: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works is currently conducting surveys and outreach to gather public input on the San Gabriel Valley Water Infrastructure Improvement Plan.? The plan is expected to be completed in 2027, and construction on the projects included in the plan is expected to begin in 2028.

The Imperial Valley Water Infrastructure Plan

Summary: This plan calls for a $5 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades in the Imperial Valley. The plan includes projects to upgrade water pipes, water treatment plants, and reservoirs. It also includes projects to improve water quality and reliability, and to develop new sources of water for the region. ?

Timing: The plan is not expected to be completed until 2030, and construction on the projects included in the plan is not expected to begin until 2031

Status: The Imperial Irrigation District is currently conducting studies to determine the feasibility of the projects included in the Imperial Valley Water Infrastructure Plan.? The plan is not expected to be completed until 2030, and construction on the projects included in the plan is not expected to begin until 2031.

Timelines for each of these possible projects vary depending on a number of factors, including funding availability, permitting, and construction.

These projects are complex, and involve a number of different agencies and stakeholders.? In addition to the water districts, the California Department of Water Resources, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and the United States Bureau of Reclamation are also involved.? As each project progresses, there is a chance that the specific water districts overseeing any given may change.

Caliagua is committed to working with Southern California’s water districts to provide clean, safe water for all our regions’ communities.? Our management and crew members take personal pride knowing that what we do contributes to the health and vitality of our region.? We look forward to playing a part in some of the projects that will improve water equity for across Southern California.?

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