With water management planning efforts currently underway and as climate change exacerbates drought impacts, a groundwater tour took place on March 9 and March 10 to highlight the importance of sustainable water management, drought concerns, and vulnerabilities of underrepresented communities regarding water. Self-Help Enterprises, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, Clean Water Action, Community Water Center, and the Central California Environmental Justice Network coordinated the tour, which took place on March 9 and March 10 with staff from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and a member of the State Water Resources Control Board.  

On the first day, tour participants visited the communities of West Goshen, Allensworth, and Ducor in Tulare County. On the second day, tour participants visited the Fresno County communities of Lanare and Cantua Creek/El Porvenir and the Madera County community of Fairmead. Over the course of the two days, nearly 100 residents from these communities shared their water challenges and the need to achieve clean drinking water. 

The tour demonstrated that rural communities must participate in groundwater sustainability planning to secure safe and reliable drinking water and build resilience to future water shortages. 

Emergency Services

As summer approaches, the severity of the Valley’s drought becomes more evident. Our Emergency Services’ Water Quality team has been working diligently to provide water testing for known contamination issues in the Central Valley. When results show contamination, we recommend an entry filtration system be installed. Our Bottled Water team provides an immediate and interim solution for clean drinking water while homeowners work towards a permanent solution to their drinking water needs.  

From February 28th to April 20th, SHE delivered 13,000 gallons of emergency bottled water to over 105 households in Allensworth! Deliveries were coordinated with the support of the Allensworth Community Services District. Bottled water distributions took place on five different dates at the Allensworth Elementary School and Allensworth Community Center. 

Contact the Bottled Water Hotline:

559-802-1284 

 BOTTLEDWATER@SELFHELPENTERPRISES.ORG 

$22,500 in Scholarships Awarded!

This year, Self-Help Enterprises awarded a total of $22,500 in scholarship awards to 16 of the Valley’s brightest students. The Doris “Do” Dooley Scholarship was named after Self-Help Enterprises’ former Board member and dedicated friend of the organization. 

After reviewing this year’s applications, a committee of the Self-Help Enterprises’ Board of Directors selected the award winners based on academic merit and commitment to community service. Awards ranged from $500 to $3,000 and were available to students who plan to continue their education through a full-time vocational or trade school, community college or four-year university. Read more about these extraordinary students.