To help combat California’s water crisis, UCLA researchers created a water system consolidation guide illustrating case studies of successful collaborations and future actions with an accompanying tool kit. Funded by the Water Foundation, the project arose out of a working group with water equity advocates, state agency leaders and other stakeholders.

“There’s an unprecedented amount of funding available for water systems to join together. But the process of consolidating is highly complex,” said Kristin Dobbin, former postdoctoral researcher at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation and assistant cooperative extension specialist at UC Berkeley.

The guide highlights different ways communities have successfully collaborated towards achieving water equity and improving access. For instance, water systems might choose to merge with their neighbors, similar to the seven districts in Lake County that banded together to create a singular district and build resilience after the 2015 Valley Fire. Water districts in the Ukiah Valley Basin took a different approach, creating a regional umbrella organization to collaboratively prepare back-up supplies during a drought

“It comes down to getting clean, safe, reliable water to people who don’t have it,” said Gregory Pierce, co-director of the Luskin Center for Innovation. “Policymakers and community groups can use this guide to advance on-the-ground efforts.”

The Human Rights to Water Solutions Lab offers more research towards advancing access to clean, safe drinking water.

Read more about UCLA’s water system research at UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation.

Image Source: UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation