Proposition 50 Would Protect Public Health

Throughout history, diseases spread through water have been a leading cause of death and illness. Indeed, the purification of our water supply is one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. But even today we’re still discovering new threats to public health in our water. That’s why Proposition 50 is so important. It invests in our local water districts, providing them with grants to upgrade equipment that can prevent contamination at the source. Today we can eliminate or dramatically reduce levels of dangerous chemicals like chromium, the gasoline additive MTBE and arsenic.

After Sept. 11 we have well-founded new fears about our water supply. Proposition 50 also increases security and safety at critical sites across California, protecting our water supply from a terrorist attack or a natural disaster. Safe drinking water is only one of the benefits of Proposition 50. It will also help reduce water pollution, clean up beach pollution and ensure a stable, reliable and secure water supply for California.

When the safety of our water supply is at stake, it is a concern to each and every one of us. That’s why a broad coalition of health, business, labor and environmental groups are joining forces to support Proposition 50.

Linda Rosenstock MD

Dean, UCLA School

of Public Health