CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS

May 2004

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State Officials Clash over whether Public Bond Funds Should Be Available to Private Water Companies

Proposition 50 raised billions of dollars to upgrade deteriorating California water distribution systems. The California Department of Health Services (DHS), one of the bond’s administering agencies, plans to release some of the funds to private water companies. Several groups oppose the move, arguing that public funds should not increase private profits and voters were unaware that their tax money might be released to corporations. Supporters contend that taxpayers in all districts should benefit from the bond, even if their water supplier happens to be a private entity.