53 West Goshen homes connected to clean water thanks to $3.4M state grant

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A project nearly five years in the making, 53 homes in West Goshen now have access to clean, safe and reliable drinking water through their faucets.

"They have been feeling a sense of relief and excitement. With the new service coming in, we have heard people talk about the water quality feels different to the skin. How it feels a lot softer and less harsh than well water," says Erica Diaz, the Community Solutions Advocate with the Community Water Center.

The non-profit has been working for years to provide safe water to residents in the area.

"Many community members out here have struggled with contaminated water, nitrate or uranium and if it wasn't contaminated, they struggled with dry wells," explains Diaz.

Thanks to a $3.4 million state grant through The Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience Program, or SAFER, Goshen homes have now been connected to Cal Water's public water system.

Interim director Steve Johnson says, "The water we serve is among the safest in the nation, meeting or surpassing all federal and state regulations set for health and safety."

Johnson continued to mention they are proud to bring safe and reliable water to Goshen community members.

"It's better now that we can use the water to cook with, and it's more reliable," says resident Fernando Ojeda.

The Community Water Center has been providing water bottles and jugs to locals for years.

Fernando says it has been a lot of help, considering his household goes through two a day.

But now, he says he's grateful to have access to clean water, from the comfort of home.

The non-profit says the project should be complete within the next week and hopes to continue reaching other communities in Tulare County, including areas near Porterville and Cutler-Orosi.

For more information on the Community Water Center, you can visit their website here.

For details on this project, visit here.

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