The Human Right to Water in California: AB 685, It Will Keep You Alive!

April 6, 2011

In 2009, grassroots activists, community organizations, and legislators made history in California: the Human Right to Water Act of California (AB 1242) passed both the assembly and senate. Unfortunately, the bill was vetoed by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 2011, there is new governor, Jerry Brown; a new human-right-to-water bill (AB 685); and new hopes for the human right to water in California!  

Assembly member Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park) is sponsoring a six-bill package that, if passed, would make the human right to water into California policy. In a press conference at the state capitol — with other legislators, safe-water advocates, faith-based community members, concerned residents, and the United Nations Independent Expert on the Human Right to Water and Sanitation Catarina de Albuquerque — Eng announced the set of bills to ensure all Californians have access to safe and clean drinking water. “In far too many communities, the sole water supply is contaminated, and families unable to afford treatment are left entirely without safe water,” said Eng. Read the full bill.  

For more information, visit UU Legislative Ministry.