New Report on the Water Crisis in California
Things You Can Do to Protect Our Water from PFAS
Good news for drinking water! In March, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first federal, enforceable limits on six types of PFAS to make our drinking water safer. PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environ- ment, are everywhere — found in everything from food packing to non-stick pans — and are a widespread contaminant in our water. Health risks include cancer and immune and reproductive system harm. Because of you, Food & Water Watch fights every day to ensure that every person has access to safe, clean, affordable, public tap water. These PFAS limits are just the beginning. Here are three things you can do now to ensure safer drink- ing water for everyone.
In Tombstone Territory, Michael Torres’ home well has run dry. His community is surrounded by big agribusinesses growing water-intensive crops.
Despite this year’s heavy rain and snow- fall in California, a long-term ground- water crisis continues throughout the Central Valley. Our new report, “ Fighting for the Human Right to Water in Tombstone Territory, California ,” features stories from a community near Fresno, where home water wells have dried up. The area is dominated by industrial farms growing water-intensive crops like almonds, and they are drilling deeper and deeper for ever-scarcer water. Shallower residential wells can’t compete, and are running dry. “Water is a human right, not a commod- ity to be bought and sold for profit,” said Food & Water Watch California Director Chirag G. Bhakta. “Families are forced to go without water because they can’t afford to drill deep wells the way big agribusiness can. The Governor must immediately address corporate water abuse and cut back water allocations for thirsty crops.”
Tell the EPA to regulate all PFAS Regulating six PFAS chemicals is just a start. Urge the EPA to regulate the entire class of PFAS chemicals and reject any calls to weaken these standards! fwwat.ch/RegulatePFAS Tell President Biden to ban PFAS altogether PFAS contamination is growing across the country. Urge President Biden to step in and fight back against corporate polluters and ban the entire class of PFAS! fwwat.ch/BanPFAS Tell Congress to pass the WATER Act The WATER Act will help communities repair broken water systems and tackle health crises, like PFAS and lead pipes. Urge your members of Congress to
See Our New Report
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5 | SUMMER 2023
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