California rural areas to get more access to drinking water as groups announce water commitments
July 22, 2014 | 09:37 PM
California may be experiencing a drought but people in some of the high-poverty agricultural communities in the state will get more access to drinking water courtesy of a program sponsored by the California Endowment and local municipalities, Annalisa Robles, a program manager at the endowment, announced today at the White House.
Many Americans may find it hard to believe there are places in this country where it is difficult to find safe drinking water, but 40 percent of schools in California do not provide water with meals, Robles said before introducing First Lady Michelle Obama.
Annalisa Robles of the California Endowment. (Alex Gangitano/The Hagstrom Report)
“No matter who you are or where you live, you should be able to drink a glass of water in your school or neighborhood,” Robles said in a news release.
“Sadly, this isn’t the reality for more than a million Californians, whose water isn’t safe to drink. Californians living in high-poverty areas are most affected — those who can least afford the extra expense. This isn’t right. It’s not healthy for kids, it’s not good for their learning, and it’s not what we Americans believe should happen. Your only beverage choice should not be soda.”
“Beginning this fall, our local partners in California’s high-poverty, agricultural communities of southern Kern County and eastern Coachella Valley will be implementing a one-year pilot project to increase safe drinking water access and consumption,” she continued.
“We are installing hundreds of taps and dispensers to fill reusable water bottles in schools and other public places, in partnership with Arvin Union School District, Community Water Center, Pueblo Unido, and the Rural Community Assistance Corporation. That means millions of Californians, who were without free, clean drinking water throughout their day can drink up.”
Robles noted that the endowment, which has a mission to improve the health of all Californians but particularly those in impoverished areas, calls its water program “Agua4All.”
In a news release, the Partnership for a Healthier America also noted that Brita, the Haws Corporation, Nalgene, Outdoor Products and S’well Bottle had made commitments to increase access to drinking water.
▪ The California Endowment
Many Americans may find it hard to believe there are places in this country where it is difficult to find safe drinking water, but 40 percent of schools in California do not provide water with meals, Robles said before introducing First Lady Michelle Obama.
“No matter who you are or where you live, you should be able to drink a glass of water in your school or neighborhood,” Robles said in a news release.
“Sadly, this isn’t the reality for more than a million Californians, whose water isn’t safe to drink. Californians living in high-poverty areas are most affected — those who can least afford the extra expense. This isn’t right. It’s not healthy for kids, it’s not good for their learning, and it’s not what we Americans believe should happen. Your only beverage choice should not be soda.”
“Beginning this fall, our local partners in California’s high-poverty, agricultural communities of southern Kern County and eastern Coachella Valley will be implementing a one-year pilot project to increase safe drinking water access and consumption,” she continued.
“We are installing hundreds of taps and dispensers to fill reusable water bottles in schools and other public places, in partnership with Arvin Union School District, Community Water Center, Pueblo Unido, and the Rural Community Assistance Corporation. That means millions of Californians, who were without free, clean drinking water throughout their day can drink up.”
Robles noted that the endowment, which has a mission to improve the health of all Californians but particularly those in impoverished areas, calls its water program “Agua4All.”
In a news release, the Partnership for a Healthier America also noted that Brita, the Haws Corporation, Nalgene, Outdoor Products and S’well Bottle had made commitments to increase access to drinking water.
▪ The California Endowment
