Clean water a human right, but one that needs funding
Editorial
Modesto Bee
08/25/2009
In towns up and down our valley, residents are drinking bad things with their tap water.
As reported in The Bee last week, traces of arsenic, a naturally occurring toxic chemical, have leached into ground water, reaching levels that violate state and federal safety standards. Nitrates, from fertilizers or broken septic tanks or dairy manure, also have been found in dangerous levels.
The state has been less than diligent in addressing what is a serious health hazard in too many communities.
Frustrated activists are pushing legislation that would declare clean drinking water a human right. Assembly Bill 1242 by Ira Ruskin, D-Los Altos makes clean, affordable and accessible water a human right. The bill, which passed the Assembly and is pending in the Senate, would clarify current state law that long has given priority to domestic water users. Backers hope it gives officials greater incentive and authority to address contamination.
The bill doesn't provide any money to ensure that people get the clean water they need, and a real probleme. Though voters have passed bond measures that provide $230 million for water clean-up, and the federal government provides tens of millions more, a 2007 study estimated it will take $39 billion and 20 years to bring the state's drinking water up to federal standards.
But, not all the solutions require new money. Tthe state isn't even using all the resources at its disposal now. More needs to be done to address the source of pollution. For example, dairies are one of the leading sources of nitrate contamination, and the state has the power to force dairies to control their waste. But, the dangerously elevated levels of nitrate in groundwater suggest that's not being done.
