First Step: Get Informed!

The first step to accessing safe and affordable drinking water is getting informed! The resources below will help you learn who provides your water, if your water is safe and what solutions are available for you and your community.

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Where Does My Drinking Water Come From?

Your drinking water comes from either surface water, groundwater or a mixture of both. Knowing the differences between these two sources is important because it will help you better understand any specific drinking water issues you may have and how those issues can be solved.

What Do I Need to Know About Water Providers and Systems?

California water providers and water systems - the groups that actually get drinking water to your home - can be confusing. We break them down to what you need to know as a community resident.

What Drinking Water Issue Am I Experiencing and How Do I Address It?

Though you may be experiencing drinking water issues, you may not know exactly what those issues are. Walk through this page to better understand what might be going on and what solutions are available to you.

What Agencies and Organizations Are Involved in Drinking Water?

There are many agencies and organizations involved in California’s drinking water landscape. Understand who you may have to engage with as you advocate for yourself or your community.

Second Step: Become a Drinking Water Advocate!

You will likely have to push your local and state water agencies and organizations for positive change around drinking water issues. Community organizing is the most effective tool for long-term change. Community Water Center has supported community organizing efforts for nearly 20 years! The following includes time-tested resources and best practices.

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How Do I Become a Water Leader?

There are ways you can become a water leader in and for your community, including creating an official advocacy group like a community based organization to bring all concerned community members together, getting involved with Community Water Leaders Network, and participating in your local water board meetings and elections.

How Do I Hold Governmental Water Agencies and Providers Accountable?

An advocate’s job is to hold agencies and organizations that provide and manage your drinking water responsible for their actions. If your drinking water comes from a governmental provider, like a city, there are ways to respond to their potential violations of your right to safe drinking water. There are ways to hold your local and state water agency officials accountable as well.