Argument in favor of Valley Water Measure S

Residents of southern Santa Clara County deserve a local supply of safe, clean water.

Click here to read the argument opposing Measure S

South County has a long history of fighting so we aren’t overlooked. Measure S ensures we have an adequate supply of safe, reliable water, same as our north county neighbors. Measure S is crucial to sustaining our communities, businesses, and farms.

Measure S doesn’t increase taxes: it simply renews existing local funding we’ve relied on for 20 years. Seventy-four percent of voters approved the last renewal in 2012. It also requires independent citizens’ oversight, annual audits and exemptions to local seniors. All Measure S funds will be controlled locally for projects like the new Pacheco Reservoir and cannot be taken away by the state.

For us, Anderson Dam provides vital benefits including delivering safe, clean water to our homes. Measure S provides $54 million to the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit project to prevent dam failure and protects us from inundation and destruction. These funds also make us more resilient in the event of a natural disaster, enhances the valley’s water supplies, while also providing additional benefits of flood protection, recharged groundwater and production of local produce.

Valley Water understands they cannot complete these projects alone. Measure S dedicates $3 million in funding for grants and partnerships for cities like Morgan Hill and Gilroy, which may have had fewer grant/partnership opportunities in previous years. Additionally, Measure S includes $38.7 million to continue the ongoing coordination with local governments and agencies to help clean up large creekside encampments that may contaminate waterways. This cooperative effort includes working with municipalities, social services, and nonprofit groups that will help provide alternatives to the unhoused population.

We simply can’t afford to lose this important funding and put our local water supply at risk.

---

Rich Constantine is Morgan Hill’s mayor, Don Gage is a former Supervisor, Santa Clara County, and Paul Mirassou is president of the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.