Blog: Water Boards – An Impactful Way to Lead Your Community

The impacts that climate change is having around the world are undeniable.  Unprecedented storms, severe droughts and heatwaves, historic wildfires, and massive floods are affecting millions of people around the globe.  The western United States has not been spared, as the current 22-year megadrought in the western United States has broken previous records for the driest period in the region since the year 800 C.E., according to a study published in Nature Climate Change. 

The impacts of the drought are the most severe in the southwest United States, and are felt disproportionately amongst the roughly 30% Hispanic population that resides in some of the driest areas in the country.  It leaves many in these regions wondering “what can I do?”   

While there is not an easy answer, the first step is taking an active role in the management of the water systems that effect your local region. This can be done by joining your local water board so that you can help make important decisions that will affect you, your family, and/or your business’ everyday use of water. 

What is a local water board? 

No matter what state, city, or county you reside in, your water is managed by a local water board that is resident-led.  These boards are created to meet specific local needs that the state government or city, county, and other types of local government have not met.  

What role do local water boards play? 

In most cases, a water board’s primary responsibility is to ensure that all residents are served water that meets state and federal drinking water standards. Board members can: 

• Plan, fund, and oversee projects to secure safe drinking water (e.g. drill a new well, replace outdated infrastructure, install a water treatment plant) 

• Set fair water rates 

• Participate in regional planning to ensure long-term sustainability 

While some boards exclusively hold powers that relate to water, board members’ roles frequently extend far beyond water management. For instance, in many communities, board members can secure funding to pave roads, build community parks, establish public transportation routes, and make other community investments that powerfully shape health, safety, and well-being. 

Most fundamentally, local water boards offer an opportunity for residents’ voices to be heard. In many communities, these boards are the only public, local government accountable to, and led by, residents themselves. Like city councilmembers or mayors, board members are community leaders. Local water boards offer an opportunity to take action — and to make a difference in your community. 

Why is it important to get involved? 

A 2018 report from Community Water Center in California, titled “Untapped Opportunity: Local Water Boards and the Fight for Water Justice,” found there are simply not enough residents running for local water board seats, with several seats going uncontested. Further, while many of the rural counties and communities in the Southwest consist of primarily Hispanics or Latinos, the leadership of waterboards does not reflect the communities they serve. 

How do I get involved? 

The process for joining your local water board will vary depending upon your location.  Most positions will require you to submit an application when a board seat becomes available.  Some may require a much more robust election process.  The first step is to identify your local water board and determine when the next board seats will become available and know what the requirements are to serve on the board.  It will also help if you attend some of the public meetings leading up to board elections so that you can understand how the board operates and ask questions to prepare you for taking an active role on the board. 

Unfortunately, most water boards seats are unpaid positions with meetings that may take place during work hours.  Unless you have both the time and financial flexibility to serve, it is very difficult to serve on a water board. 

HECHO is currently working on identifying several of the barriers that are keeping Hispanics from taking leadership roles on water boards, including the time and financial flexibility piece.  Our goal is to increase Hispanic representation on local water boards throughout the southwest United States to ensure the voices of our communities are not just heard, but are part of making decisions that directly impact our communities. 

Please sign up for our newsletter to stay informed on these efforts and other land conservation efforts that HECHO is involved in.