Our vision: Universal access to safe, reliable, and affordable water and wastewater management nationwide
Our work: We all need clean water, but many communities struggle with aging infrastructure, costly rates, poor water quality, and distrust of their water. Our research, including the recent launch of the Human Right to Water Solutions Lab, helps government agencies advance access to safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water, especially in underserved communities.
Our Research
Right to Water
Californians have a legal right to clean water, but for millions of residents, this is not yet a reality. Our research focuses on how government agencies can ensure these rights to water throughout the state and beyond. See research findings.
Local Water Supply
As snowmelt diminishes under climate change, the Western U.S. must better harness local water and rely less on imported water. We are designing strategies to equitably expand local supplies using recycled water and stormwater capture, first in the L.A. region and then beyond. See research findings.
Water Quality
The 200 community water systems in L.A. County have vastly different capacities to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water. We are building a methodology and evidence base for evaluating compliance among drinking water systems. See research findings.
Tap Water Trust
Tap water distrust leads people to buy bottled drinks, which can be harmful to their health, environment, and budgets, especially for those with limited incomes. We are identifying the sources of tap distrust and assessing strategies to advance trust. See research findings.
Wastewater Infrastructure
Resilient wastewater infrastructure is critical to bolstering drinking water supplies and achieving the human right to sanitation. We are assessing wastewater recycling projects and aging wastewater infrastructure, first in California and then beyond. See research findings.