More than one million Californians lack access to safe drinking water. Latine, rural, and under-resourced communities are disproportionately affected. The lack of safe drinking water is a threat to food security.
When households that participate in CalFresh are forced to spend limited grocery dollars to purchase bottled water, they have less to spend on the food they need. Recognizing this dire situation, the state launched the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water Pilot in March 2022, providing $50 per month to more than 4,000 households in select zip codes that lack access to safe drinking water.
While long-term solutions are necessary, California communities need access to safe drinking water right now. State leaders must continue to invest resources to ensure the pilot program reaches existing participants, and also create a path for eventual expansion to additional impacted households.
Contact your state representatives and let them know how lack of safe drinking water affects you and your community.
Share your story with us here. We'll contact you to discuss how we can work together to convey your story.
Have questions? Contact Michelle Lee at michelle@nourishca.org.
Michelle Lee
Policy Advocate
408.320.8262
michelle@nourishca.org
Good news!
Thanks to your advocacy, the CalFresh Safe Drinking Water EBT Pilot Program will continue on to 2026!
AB 161, the Human Services Omnibus trailer bill, includes language that would effectively extend this successful pilot through March 2026, or until allocated funding expires.
This means 3,000 households in Kern County that do not have potable water will continue to receive an additional $50 per month in CalFresh to help defray the extra cost of drinking water. We will continue to work with partners and state leaders to explore opportunities to expand and improve the pilot.
Thank you for your support and advocacy!
