California Democrats, from all over our state, came together late last fall to endorse a resolution supporting the not for profit ownership of water.

California Democrats are committed to do everything in their power to achieve legislation at all levels of government requiring that all water supplies and water districts be owned by local government entities and will urge Democratic legislators in California to support such effort.

Water is essential to all life and is unique in the realm of products in that water consumers have no choice, but must have it or die. Recent scientific reports on global climate change indicate great uncertainty about changes in precipitation patterns and areas of drought or flood as warming continues. This uncertainty makes transparent public ownership imperative.

Many communities whose water systems were sold to for-profit corporations, or who have entered into partnerships with those corporations, have experienced higher prices for water, poorer quality of water, and poorer quality of service.

Finally, thinking of water as a commodity to generate profit is contrary to our country's values and morals, but for-profit companies, both domestic and foreign, now own 14 percent of the United States water supplies and seek to acquire more, potentially endangering the public health and safety and national security.

The Lake County Democratic party, one of the original authors of this resolution, asks that all of our elected legislators work diligently to support and achieve this goal.

We urge you to support and advocate for legislation requiring that water supplies and districts be owned by not-for-profit entities such as special districts, municipal water districts and non-profit corporations and be under public oversight.

Wanda Harris is chair of the Lake County Democratic Central Committee; Sunol Westergren chairs the Lake County Democratic Club.

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