(Central Valley) Leadership Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2026

MEDIA CONTACTS
Jill Hindenach, 202-494-6309, jhindenach@leadershipcounsel.org
Stephanie Ambriz, 442-400-2534, sambriz@leadershipcounsel.org

TOMBSTONE TERRITORY, CA — After nearly a decade of advocacy, residents of Tombstone Territory, an unincorporated community in Fresno County, are finally connected to a safe, reliable drinking water source. About 40 households in this rural community are connected to the City of Sanger’s water system. This hard-fought victory is thanks to the tireless efforts of residents, partners, the City of Sanger, and State Water Resources Control Board’s Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience drinking water program, known as SAFER.

“Tombstone is where the SAFER program began, because it was here that Governor Newsom signed SB 200, creating the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund,” said E. Joaquin Esquivel, Chair of the State Water Board. “Since then, a million more people, many in disadvantaged communities like Tombstone, have gained access to safe drinking water at home and at school. Thanks to everyone’s perseverance, and many lessons learned along the way, Tombstone residents now join the 98% of Californians with safe drinking water. Congratulations to the community and our program partners on this progress toward fulfilling California’s Human Right to Water.”

For too long, families in Tombstone Territory have endured years of unsafe and unreliable water supply. They have dealt with private wells going dry, harmful contaminants appearing in test results, and forced to rely on bottled water and emergency water tanks. As of this week, they are celebrating a significant milestone. It shows that when communities take the lead and the state invests, change can happen. 

“It took ten years of perseverance to make this happen with our entire community joining together, but we now have water from Sanger, and I am so happy,” said Jovita Torres, Tombstone Territory community resident. “I no longer have to worry if we’re going to spend another summer without water, but that’s not true for many communities throughout the state. If my words reach the governor, I urge him to protect this program, to continue to support it, because there are so many people who still need help.”

This milestone in Tombstone reflects SAFER’s purpose: moving communities from crisis, to lasting, affordable water solutions. Since the program, the number of Californians receiving unsafe water from public water systems has dropped from about 1.6 million to around 600,000. 

“Thanks to community advocacy and the SAFER program, residents of Tombstone Territory now have access to a reliable supply of safe water from their taps for the first time in a decade,” said Michael Claiborne, Directing Attorney at Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. “This community-driven success demonstrates the critical role that the SAFER program plays in delivering safe water to all Californians, and the program must be fully funded and protected.”

When SAFER is fully funded, we move forward the human right to water. In just six years, there has been a 63% reduction in the number of Californians drinking unsafe water. Underfunding SAFER risks the significant progress in water justice achieved under Governor Newsom and the Legislature. The state cannot afford to take a step backwards. 

At the same time, state leaders have an opportunity to support families struggling with rising water costs by passing SB 1125, which would establish California’s first statewide Water Rate Assistance Program. If passed, this bill  would establish a first in the nation program that would auto-enroll low-income customers for a direct bill credit, ensure transparency through annual reporting, and cap administrative costs. 

SB 1125 would protect vulnerable families from losing access to water as a result of water utility debt, and provide some relief ensuring low-income families can afford this basic and vital necessity. Over 40 organizations, including water utilities, across California stand together in support of SB 1125. This bill puts policy into action to move forward access to safe and affordable water for all. 

The celebration in Tombstone Territory is a testament to community leadership and the SAFER program, but the effort must continue until every community in California can turn on their tap water without fear and harm to their health. 

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Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability works alongside the most impacted communities in the San Joaquin Valley and Eastern Coachella Valley to advocate for sound policy and eradicate injustice to secure equal access to opportunity regardless of wealth, race, income, and place. Leadership Counsel focuses on issues like housing, land use, transportation, safe and affordable drinking water and climate change impacts on communities.

The post Tombstone Community Celebrates Long-Awaited Connection to Safe Drinking Water After Years of Contamination and Dry Wells appeared first on Leadership Counsel for Justice & Accountability.