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Date Adopted:
Date Approved:
Effective Date:
City Attorney Approval: ______ Resolution No.
RESOLUTION NO. ____________
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF THE REMOVING
NITRATE AND ARSENIC IN DRINKING WATER ACT (H.R.
2656)
WHEREAS, access to clean, safe, and affordable drinking water is a basic human right and a cornerstone of public health, economic development, and environmental justice; and
WHEREAS, many rural communities across California, particularly in Central California, continue to suffer from contaminated groundwater and lack reliable access to safe drinking water due to high levels of nitrates, arsenic, and other harmful pollutants ; and
WHEREAS, the contamination of groundwater in these areas is largely attributed to decades of unregulated agricultural practices, failing septic systems, and inadequate water infrastructure, disproportionately impacting low -income communities and communities of color; and
WHEREAS, Representative David Valadao, a Republican from Hanford, has joined forces with Representative Norma Torres, a Democrat from Southern California, to introduce a new bill H.R. 2656, that would amend the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, to establish a new funding grant program to help reduce nitrate and arsenic contamination drinking water systems across the United States; and
WHEREAS, the program, administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will provide financial assistance to various eligible entities including community water systems, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and state and local agencies to
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fund projects that specifically aim to lower nitrate or arsenic concentrations in drinking water; and
WHEREAS, the Fresno City Council supports this legislative action to clean up these contaminated water systems, including proposals that would expand federal funding and regulatory oversight to address nitrate and arsenic levels in drinking water; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fresno, located in the heart of Central California, is directly impacted by regional water quality issues and shares a common aquifer system with many neighboring rural and unincorporated communities; and WHEREAS, contaminated water in surrounding areas places indirect burdens on the City of Fresno, including increased strain on urban water distribution systems, greater demand for health and social services, and the displacement of residents seeking cleaner and safer living conditions; and
WHEREAS, Fresno’s economy is intricately linked to the agricultural production of the Central Valley, and ensuring the sustainability of that economy requires addressing environmental damage—particularly water contamination—caused by historic and ongoing land use practices; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fresno has a responsibility to demonstrate leadership in advocating for a healthier, more equitable, and environmentally sustainable region and to stand in solidarity with underserved communities that have lacked access to clean drinking water for far too long; and
WHEREAS, supporting this resolution positions Fresno to be an active partner in regional and state- level discussions about clean water solutions and affirms the City’s
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commitment to long-term public health, environmental justice, and regional stability.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Fresno as follows:
1. The City of Fresno formally supports legislative and regulatory actions proposed by the federal government to remediate nitrate, arsenic, and other contaminant levels in rural drinking water systems, particularly in Central California.
2. The City encourages the legislature to advance policies and budget allocations that provide long-term solutions to rural water contamination, including funding for infrastructure upgrades, technical assistance for small water systems, and accountability measures for polluters.
3. The City of Fresno urges increased coordination between the State Water Resources Control Board, regional water agencies, and local governments to identify and prioritize high-risk communities and ensure timely delivery of safe, treated water through this proposed federal funding.
4. The City calls upon federal and state leaders to treat water access in Central California with the same level of urgency and resources devoted to major urban water crises elsewhere in the nation.
5. The City Clerk is directed to transmit copies of this resolution to the House of Representatives and Senate, expressing the City’s support consistent with this resolution.
6. This resolution shall be effective upon final approval.
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF FRESNO ) ss.
CITY OF FRESNO )
I, TODD STERMER, City Clerk of the City of Fresno, certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Council of the City of Fresno, at a regular meeting held on the day of 2025.
AYES :
NOES :
ABSENT :
ABSTAIN :
Mayor Approval: , 2025
Mayor Approval/No Return: , 2025
Mayor Veto: , 2025
Council Override Vote: , 2025
TODD STERMER, MMC
City Clerk
By:
Date
Deputy
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ANDREW JANZ
City Attorney
By:
Angela M. Karst Date
Senior Deputy City Attorney