SACRAMENTO - Assembly Bill 983, Access to Safe Drinking Water Act, was approved by a unanimous vote in the Senate.

The Access to Safe Drinking Water Act was introduced by Assemblymember Henry T. Perea (D-Fresno) to help California's most disadvantaged communities in their attempts to build infrastructure to provide safe drinking water.

"Everyone deserves access to clean, safe drinking water," Assemblymember Perea said. "Many communities throughout the state and even here in the Central Valley struggle to pay for water infrastructure projects. AB 983 will give them a boost on their way to providing access to clean water-a basic human right."

Currently disadvantaged communities are able to apply for state grants that cover up to 80 percent of a project's costs but often can’t afford to pay for the difference without raising water rates. This bill gives them the chance to apply for a grant that would fund the entire project.

AB 983 moves to the Assembly for concurrence and then to the Governor for his signature.

# # #

Assemblymember Henry T. Perea represents the 31st District in the California State Assembly which includes the central San Joaquin Valley communities of Cutler-Orosi, Dinuba, Firebaugh, Fowler, Kerman, Mendota, Parlier, Reedley, Sanger, San Joaquin, Selma and the city of Fresno.

Contact: Alisha Gallon 661-364-3655