The population of California is more than that of Canada, accounting for more than 12% of all U.S. citizens living in the Golden State. With already strained water and energy resources, work to build consensus on appropriate environmentally sustainable alternatives is at the center of Clean Water Fund’s California programs.
Manufacturing products with less toxic materials and promoting the development of "green chemistry" will protect communities, workers, and ecosystems, and also save businesses money. By preventing pollution and increasing efficiency, green chemistry holds the promise of reducing potential liability and giving manufacturers competitive advantage in the marketplace. Clean Water Fund is fighting to ensure that California's new chemical policies ensure the public's right to know about the health and environmental impacts of chemicals used in everyday products. Read more about the green chemistry program and Clean Water Fund's campaign to end toxic secrets.
Most Central Valley communities rely on groundwater for their drinking water supply. Throughout the Valley, extensive and ancient groundwater deposits are being depleted and contaminated with runoff from farms, confined animal feeding opertations, and sewage systems. In addition, naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, manganese, and uranium also contaminate groundwater as a result of wasteful irrigation practices of agricultural operations. Read more about what we are doing to ensure small communities have access to safe and affordable drinking water.
Californians are paying a huge price for farming the fertile soils of the Central Valley – the loss of clean water. For decades, commercial fertilizers and pesticides have been applied in amounts that far exceed the ability of crops to absorb. While pesticide application is somewhat regulated and requires permits and safety measures, fertilizer use has no restrictions. Clean Water Fund is a leading voice in the development of new state regulations to protect groundwater and limit nitrate contamination. Read more about our efforts to reduce nitrate pollution.
We consume too much stuff. Single use disposable products impact public health and the environment in every step of their lifecycle- from raw materials extraction to manufacture, transport and disposal. The impacts range from oil spills and deforestation, to energy and water use, pesticide use, soil depletion, water and air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Plastic pollution in our oceans is at epidemic proportions and provides a clear signal that we are wasting the planet’s resources and polluting our waterways with that waste. Clean Water Fund is researching and developing new policies to reduce these impacts at the source. Read more about the research we’ve conducted and policies we are promoting to prevent packaging waste and Take Out the Trash!