Bill to Establish Human Right to Water in California Passes State Assembly

Last week, a bill that would declare the human right to water as a policy of the state of California passed out of the state legislature. Authored by Assembly Member Ira Ruskin (D- Redwood City) and co-sponsored by the national consumer advocacy group Food & Water Watch, Assembly Bill 1242 would add language to the California Water Code guaranteeing all people in the state the right to clean, safe, affordable water.

Today in California, severe water quality issues affect at least 150,000 consumers, who are unable to drink the water from their taps. In some areas children are reminded to keep their mouths shut while showering and schools stock up on bottled water because tap water is polluted with contaminants such as nitrates.

AB 1242 is a significant step towards ensuring that everyone in California has access to safe, affordable tap water. The next step will be to get Governor Schwarzenegger to sign it into law.

From Commondreams.org

Photo: Water for Life from Rudhach on Flickr under Creative Commons License