Water Justice

The Water Justice program at Nuestra Casa seeks to promote tap water
and groundwater education and advocacy.

For decades, East Palo Alto residents have faced ongoing water quality and infrastructure challenges stemming from pre-1983 city development decisions. In 2019, Nuestra Casa partnered with the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water and the San Francisco Estuary Partnership to lead a groundbreaking Bay Area water justice initiative to address these critical issues.

The community needs assessment and drinking water testing program revealed important findings about East Palo Alto’s water quality and infrastructure needs. These results will shape our advocacy work with community members to make improvements to East Palo Alto’s water system, ensuring safe, reliable water access for all residents.

Get the full story – read our newsletter for insights into the design of the existing water system, why it’s important to be aware of your water sources, and how you can take action to make improvements.

READ OUR NEWSLETTER HERE

East Palo Alto’s Water History: The Impact of Pre-Incorporation on Development Decisions

EPA’s water comes from three different water systems. A map of their service areas is available in Figure 2-1 of the City’s Water System Master Plan. Join former Nuestra Casa Program Director Vicky Avila Medrano in conversation with Rosa Nelson, previous Water Justice Program Coordinator, as they uncover how critical pre-incorporation decisions continue to impact East Palo Alto’s complex water system today. Learn why EPA uniquely relies on three separate water providers and how aging infrastructure stems from historical development choices made before the city’s 1983 incorporation.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Water Justice in East Palo Alto: Community Leaders and Experts Address Water Equity Crisis

Watch as KQED Forum’s Alexis Madrigal moderates a crucial discussion on EPA’s water equity challenges with former Mayor Lisa Gauthier, community advocate Heleine Grewe, SPUR’s Laura Feinstein, water policy expert Max Gomberg, and Climate Resilient Communities’ Cade Cannedy.

Recorded at Bloomhouse on September 29, 2023, this panel explores East Palo Alto’s urgent water infrastructure needs, affordability concerns, and community-driven solutions for ensuring clean, accessible water for all EPA residents.

WATCH THE PANEL DISCUSSION

Nuestra Casa’s Impact

Community Water Needs Assessment & Testing Program: East Palo Alto’s comprehensive water study, conducted through the Disadvantaged Community Technical Assistance Program (DACTIP), revealed critical infrastructure and water quality concerns. Our partnership with the San Francisco Estuary Partnership enabled detailed assessment of EPA residents’ water needs, testing initiatives, and infrastructure evaluation.

Stanford University Osman Lab/Tap Water Trust & Fletcher Lab/Affordability Studies: Groundbreaking research partnerships with Stanford University examined both water quality trust and affordability in East Palo Alto. The EPA Tap Water Trust Study highlighted community perspectives on drinking water safety, while the Water Affordability Study analyzed financial impacts on EPA households, particularly in disadvantaged communities facing rising water costs.

Community Water Task Force: Our 2024 water justice campaign unites East Palo Alto residents with key decision-makers to address critical drinking water infrastructure challenges. Through strategic advocacy, the EPA Community Water Task Force now engages directly with California State Water Board officials, local water providers, and technical experts to improve our city’s aging water system. The Task Force is currently advancing a campaign to reclassify East Palo Alto as a disadvantaged community by the State Water Board, which would unlock vital funding for the City’s much needed infrastructure improvements.

Get Involved

Get involved. Join the Nuestra Casa Community Water Task Force. Our Community Task Force has met regularly since in late 2023. This task force aims to help community members become experts on our water system. We are working together to identify the most effective ways to address our water system challenges. For more information about the Task Force, please write us here: environmentaljustice@nuestracasa.org

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a mutual water company?

Mutual water companies are private not-for-profit organizations. Most mutual water systems are very small and rely on local groundwater. They do not have the financial resources or large staffs typical of most Bay Area urban water systems, such as East Palo Alto City Water. They are subject to many of the same regulations as public water companies.

What is the difference between water that comes from surface water versus groundwater?

Water in East Palo Alto comes from several sources, primarily surface water from the Sierra Nevada mountains and local groundwater. Each source has varying quality levels and issues. For example, the O’Connor Tract Co-Operative Water Company delivers groundwater, and testing has detected elevated levels of manganese in the water. It’s safe to drink but contains a contaminant that may not be present in a different water source. O’Connor Water is currently constructing a manganese treatment plant to mitigate this secondary-level contaminant so that the water meets secondary standards of regulation. Palo Alto Park Mutual had a secondary MCL violation for aluminum levels that was resolved in August 2022. Hetch Hetchy, one of the Bay Area’s major watersheds and sources of surface water, is from the Sierra Nevada and is considered one of the purest forms of drinking water available.

What should I do if I am concerned about my water?

If you are concerned about your water, contact your local water utility. East Palo Alto City Water: (650) 322-2083. O’Connor Tract Co-Operative Water Company: (650) 321-2723. Palo Alto Park Mutual Water Company: (650) 322-6903.

Who can I talk to about my water?

If you have questions or concerns about your water quality, billing, or service, you can contact your water provider directly. To find out who your water provider is, use the Community Water Center lookup tool: https://www.communitywatercenter.org/drinkingwatertool/your-water

What is a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)?

A Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is an annual water quality report that your water supplier must provide. It includes information about the source of your water, any detected contaminants, compliance with drinking water regulations, and educational information.