As California faces its worst drought in recorded history, Gov. Jerry Brown, by executive order on April 1, allocated $1.7 billion in new funding for water conservation. That money is part of a $7.4 billion fund dedicated to solving the state’s water shortage over a 20-year period.
Two months later, the state has already begun to pump the monies into water-saving programs as well as a number of local incentives for Californians everywhere to conserve. With the efforts underway, one group is concerned that there is not enough awareness among African Americans—particularly businesspeople—about some of the ways they can benefit.
“The water industry is something we (African Americans) need to get involved with and get a better understanding of,” said Ronald Wheeler, executive director of the African American Water Leadership Coalition (AAWLC). “The small business community needs to be brought up to speed on this.”
To help make a difference, Wheeler says he and other Black Californians who work in the state’s water industry recently formed the AAWLC. The primary goal of the group, which launched in Long Beach last year, is to educate African Americans across the state about important water issues, Wheeler says.
For example, the group is encouraging individuals and business owners to attend a seminar in August to address water issues in the African American community. The seminar will also focus on how the African-American community can benefit from Proposition 1, which allocates money to improve statewide water infrastructure. For more information on the seminar, e-mail the AAWLC: ronaldw@infinitybizservices.com.
Wheeler, a resident of West Covina, says many homeowners are replacing the grass on their lawns with artificial turf to cut down on water they would need for hydrating and gardening. There is a rebate program, he explains, that offers discounts to homeowners who make the switch.
The governor’s goal is to achieve a 25 percent statewide reduction in potable water use. That number amounts to more than 1.2 million acre-feet of water over the next nine months. This is nearly as much water as is currently found in Lake Oroville, a northern California reservoir in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.
“This is the drought of the century, with greater impact than anything our parents and grandparents experienced, and we have to act accordingly,” said Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board. “We have to face the reality that this drought may continue and prepare as if that’s the case. If it rains and snows next winter, we celebrate. If the drought continues, we’ll be glad we took difficult but prudent action today. It’s the responsible thing to do.”
According to Wheeler, who has served for more than 25 years with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, there are several other water-saving programs African Americans should explore. They include rebates for low-flush toilets, efficient shower heads, high-efficiency nozzles and high-efficiency urinals. Businesses can also get rebates for installing efficient air conditioners.
Wheeler recommends people interested in water conservation go to the site www.bewaterwise.com.
