The Environmental Justice Coalition for Water is a statewide network of more than sixty grassroots groups and intermediary organizations formed to advance progressive, community-driven water-related policies for low-income communities and communities of color in California. Since 1999 EJCW has worked to educate and develop a leadership base so that community members themselves can become effective water advocates, locally, regionally and statewide. 

In March 2007 the EJCW received a coalition building subsidy through our Training and Organizational Assistance program to facilitate the coalition’s annual retreat. The Coalition’s annual retreat is an opportunity for members to reconnect and build relationships with allies  statewide, all the way from the Oregon border to Calexico, along the Mexican border. 

Facilitated by Oakland-based Seven Generations Consulting, the two-day retreat provided the opportunity for organizers and advocates to share information and strategies. “Working on the Delta mercury clean up plan we (Clean Water Fund) will take into account the needs of communities upstream of the region, something I was not able to do before since I was unaware of many of those issues,” says Andria Ventura, Clean Water Fund.  

The Environmental Justice Coalition for Water continues to fight for responsible water management policy and advocate for the right to clean water for all people. Most recently, the Coalition published a groundbreaking report “Thirsty for Justice: A People's Blueprint for California Water”.