Campaign Notes Growing Support for Water Bond

The coalition in support of the November 2010 water bond announced Wednesday that more than 125 organizations have formally endorsed the measure. With nearly six months to go until the election, the coalition said support is expected to grow substantially.

Diverse organizations representing environmental leaders, farmers, businesses, labor, local governments and water agencies are among supporters of the $11.14 billion bond measure, the Safe, Clean and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2010. If approved by voters, the measure would provide funding for California's aging water infrastructure as well as projects and programs to improve water supply reliability and ecosystem health in the Delta.

“It’s time to act now to begin fixing our water system before it’s too late,” said Jim Earp, executive director of the California Alliance for Jobs and chair of the Alliance for Clean Water and Jobs, the committee in support of the water bond.  “The water bond will invest in the repairs we need to safeguard water supplies, to upgrade water infrastructure, to clean up contamination, and to restore the Delta so we can protect this vital resource for wildlife, people and businesses.

“Those opposed to the water bond are advocating the status quo. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away, it just makes problems more severe and more costly to fix down the line. California voters are highly aware of the water crisis facing our state and of the consequences of inaction. This broad-based coalition of organizations will be mounting an aggressive and well-funded campaign and we’re confident voters will pass the measure in November.”

ACWA has taken a support position on the bond.

Click here for a current list of water bond supporters.