Environmental Justice

Environmental justice “means the fair treatment of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.” (Gov. Code §65040.12) Fair treatment means that no population bears a disproportionate share of negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or from the execution of federal, state, and local laws; regulations; and policies.

The Lahontan Regional Water Board is committed to Environmental Justice. Lahontan Water Board staff conducts outreach to stakeholders and disadvantaged communities in the Lahontan region to provide opportunities to participate in decision making and program strategies. Lahontan Water Board staff has assisted disadvantaged communities in obtaining public funding for drinking water treatment systems and construction of wastewater collection, treatment and disposal systems to better protect water quality and public health. For private domestic wells affected or threatened by pollution, we have issued enforcement actions requiring bottled water delivery by parties identified as responsible.

Environmental Justice Program Implementation:
Click on the Lahontan Environmental Justice Report to view the January 2015 Staff Report to the Lahontan Water Board

Human Right to Water

On September 25, 2012, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 685, making California the first state in the nation to legislatively recognize the human right to water, declaring that every human has the right to clean, affordable, and accessible water for consumption, cooking and sanitary purposes.

Visit the State Water Resources Control Board’s Human Right to Water website for information on municipal and community water supply compliance status, water maps, and funding opportunities.