California

Clean Water Action California protects public health and the environment by stopping pollution at the source and cleaning up contaminated waterways. We help Californians take local action and work on policy at the state and federal levels.

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2025 California Legislative Priorities

This year Clean Water Action is sponsoring four groundbreaking bills to restrict the continued use of super-toxic chemicals before they enter our water and bodies and ensure that all Californians have access to clean, affordable water.

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California Toxics Program: 2024 In Review

As we round out 2024, the Toxics Program wanted to share some of our top victories and a quick look ahead with our members. Please be assured that you are part of these achievements. We can’t do our work without your support, so this comes with our thanks and our hope that you’ll continue to be part of California’s Clean Water Action family.

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Fruitvale Community Restaurants: ReThink Disposable Case Study

Five local Fruitvale restaurants teamed up to reduce single-use disposable waste by over 187,600 individual pieces and over 3,240 pounds — annually. After an average payback period of 2.74 months, this group of restaurants will collectively be saving over $10,000 every year by purchasing fewer disposables, dramatically reducing plastic pollution in their operations, and providing real-time examples of businesses that are both eco-friendly and economical in the Fruitvale community.

Firefighters using PFAS fire fighting foam

Tackling California's PFAS Problem

You may never have heard of PFAS, but they are a class of toxic chemicals that are everywhere. These manmade chemicals have traveled through the environment into the far reaches of the world, and they don’t break down and go away, which is why they are called “forever” chemicals.

Achieving Groundwater Access For All | Page 1

Achieving Groundwater Access for All: Why Groundwater Sustainability Plans Are Failing Many Users

With increased droughts, the implementation of California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and protection of vulnerable communities dependent on small water systems and domestic wells is urgent.

Blog Posts

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Make a Special Gift to Protect Clean Water in California

Make a special gift to protect clean water in California today!

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Campaigns

California ReThink Disposable: Stop Trash Before It Starts

ReThink Disposable in California

Clean Water is taking-on single use products: from shopping bags, to food and beverage packaging, to plastic water bottles, our goal is to minimize the use of single use products.

Protecting & Conserving California's Water

Four of the most common chemical threats to California's drinking water: Nitrates; Hexavalent Chromium; 1,2,3-TCP; and Perchlorate.

Dry earth, puddle. Photo credit: Piyaset / Shutterstock

Climate Change, Drought, and Groundwater Access in California

As droughts continue, and become more frequent, our reliance on groundwater increases. During dry years, 60% of California’s water supply comes from groundwater. We must act now to ensure the Human Right to Water now and for future generations.

Drilling rig in Lost Hills, photo by A. Grinberg

Oil, Gas, and Fracking in California

Clean Water works to protect California's water, health and environment from dangerous oil and gas production activities, including fracking, acidizing, and toxic wastewater disposal.

Child playing with toy. Photo credit: Studio-Annika / Shutterstock

Safer Chemicals for California

We advocate to reduce the use of PFAS chemicals and other toxins in our water, to protect the health of Californians.

Affordable Water For All in California

Water is a human right and necessary for our public health. Every Californian needs access to safe, clean, and affordable drinking water.

Civic Engagement and Democracy in California

Clean Water Action builds grassroots strength in California to impact environmental policy in Washington, D.C., in Sacramento, and at home in our communities.

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Related Publications

California Currents | Winter 2024

In This Issue: California Voters Invest in Climate Reality | Communities Are Taking the Fight for Clean Air Into Their Own Hands | A Year of Success for Our ReThink Disposable Program | Bringing PFAS Testing to California’s Smallest Communities | National Updates: 2024 Election Results and Our Work; The Safe Drinking Water Act: 50 Years of Progress — But the Work is Never Finished; A Win for Our Water: Progress On Getting Lead Out Of Drinking Water

Fruitvale Community Restaurants: ReThink Disposable Case Study

Five local Fruitvale restaurants teamed up to reduce single-use disposable waste by over 187,600 individual pieces and over 3,240 pounds — annually. After an average payback period of 2.74 months, this group of restaurants will collectively be saving over $10,000 every year by purchasing fewer disposables, dramatically reducing plastic pollution in their operations, and providing real-time examples of businesses that are both eco-friendly and economical in the Fruitvale community.

How Alameda County Is ReThinking Disposables [Video]

Working with funding from StopWaste and Ocean Foundation and in collaboration with Gurdwara Temple, Julie’s Coffee & Tea, and Freight & Salvage, ReThink Disposable is excited to share this video highlighting the work happening in the Bay Area to reduce plastic waste. Each of these businesses are realizing significant reduction in single use disposable foodware and a savings to their bottom line!