The selected panelists ranged in vocation and provided diverse outlooks to the topics. The first panelist was longtime member of the SCWC Board of Trustees, co-chair of the Colorado River Task Force, and the Assistant General Manager of the Long Beach Water Department Anatole Falagan. The second panelist was mayor of Fontana, CA, Acquanetta Warren. The next panelist was adjunct fellow of the Public Policy Institute of California and Professor of Environmental Economics and Policy at UC Riverside, Kurt Schwabe. The final panelist was Senior Legislative Program Manager of the Eastern Municipal Water District in the Public Policy and Governmental Affairs Department, Danielle Coats. 

 

The topics ranged from the legislative and regulatory issues that play a role in implementing new policies and how equity, access, and affordability fit into the bigger picture of water. Falagan remarked that the issue of water equity, access, and affordability is not static — it is constantly changing. It is a revolving conversation that requires consistent consideration. 

 

Warren provided a valuable perspective as mayor of a small city that doesn’t own a water company. She explained that when she was first elected to serve Fontana, the city was spending a lot of time litigating over water rates with private water companies. One of the first things she did when she took office was sit down with the water companies and work together on infrastructure. Taking the time to understand how the water flows, what issues are presented, and how to make it fair for their service area made all the difference. “We have to deliver,” she said, “and when we have to pull on our companies that provide, it’s because we’ve got to provide to the public.” 

 

 

Coats, who recalled joining Eastern Municipal Water District the year before the Human Right to Water Bill passed in the state, considered the state bills surrounding water systems that have been controversial and groundbreaking leading up to this point. She explained that, while moving legislation may not always solve problems, the work builds understanding among policymakers. “What we’ve learned through this process, I think,” said Coats, “is that not all of the solutions are on the table, that there is a lot left in this conversation, that there’s a lot of areas to be innovative.” Moving forward, Coats predicted that solutions aren’t necessarily going to come from state policymakers or legislation, but from people on the ground in local governments and water districts. 

Beyond propositions, proposed legislature, meeting fiscal demands with increased rates, and taking steps to modernize infrastructure, there is one thing we know for sure about the future: there are going to be challenges. July’s panel helped to form the task force that is going to prepare us for anything the future has in store. A big thanks to our incredible panelists who helped get the Equity, Access, and Affordability of Water Task Force off the ground with their expertise and dedication to a future where water is accessible for all. To watch the video of the panel discussion or to learn more about the new task force, please visit https://socalwater.org/equity-access-affordability-water-video/ 

 

“Equity, Access and Affordability” will feature an expert panel to discuss how we can not only recognize but celebrate the rich diversity of Southern California’s people and cultures and see clearly how we are all connected by the need for a safe, affordable and reliable water supply. 

 

Our expert panel includes:

Approaching this topic asks that we recognize the history of oppression that has resulted in disparities for some communities. We wholeheartedly support and appreciate efforts such as California’s declaration of a Human Right to Water which aims to restore this basic human need. At the same time, we understand the limitations that the state and local agencies may face in addressing these entrenched and complex issues. Yet we know that our coalition is a powerful network of organizations and individuals willing to work to create positive systemic change. We believe that SCWC has a role in this work and that that work can only be done by engaging diverse perspectives and continuing to examine and improve our efforts to be inclusive, act equitably and continue to educate and inform Southern Californians about our water needs and the state’s water resources.