To the Editor:

One of our top political issues on a local level is drinking water. Interestingly, only a very small percent of our water is used for drinking, nearly 80% is used by agribusiness as proven via our billion dollar a year almond industry. 

Although state agencies insist, we have safe drinking water here, no one drinks it or uses it to cook. Thus, drinking water is expensive and fees are rising on water we can’t drink. We are actually luckier than some, as others have no water or are in danger of flooding due to land subsidence which can cause earth fissures, damage buildings, roads, destroy aquifer storage capacity and increase flood susceptibility risk. Large areas have sunk and others are sinking. 

Newman is surrounded by almond orchards which demand a lot of water and maybe vulnerable to subsidence. Interestingly, the Water Leadership Institute is hosting free educational classes on groundwater management and sustainability. Residents are encouraged to contact elected leaders on this issue. Water usage remains a highly contested issue as it is a multimillion dollar a year industry. 

I would like to invite the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors and Newman City Council members to attend the upcoming training session on April 13, 2024. Contact me at thejorgemartinez@yahoo.com. Residents are reminded drinking water shortages and management effect everyone. Concerned residents can apply to become members of the Groundwater Sustainability Agency Advisory Committee.

Jorge Martinez
Newman