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ABE WON’T BE SILENT - We celebrate a lot of things in Los Angeles — sunshine, street tacos, award season — but on May 1, we celebrate something that doesn’t get enough credit: our publicly supplied drinking water.
Tap Water Day LA, now in its 10th year (and its 2nd statewide), is more than just a symbolic shoutout. It’s a reminder that safe, clean, publicly available water is a right — not a luxury. It’s also one of the best tools we have for public health, environmental responsibility, and economic justice. Tap Water Day is the first Thursday in May, so it will always land on a school day and this year it is celebrated on May 1st.Â
“California is lucky to have such high quality drinking water”, says Evelyn Wendel, Founding Director of WeTap.org. “Our mission is to make sure everyone has access and understands the many benefits of publicly supplied drinking water.”
The truth? 98% of California’s water is safe to drink, according to E. Joaquin Esquivel, Chair of the State Water Resources Control Board. But you wouldn’t know that from the millions still reaching for bottled water — often out of habit or mistrust. That’s where WeTap.org steps in.
Since 2008, WeTap has worked with partners like LADWP, the California State Water Resources Control Board, California Water Quality Monitoring Council, LAUSD, LA County of Public Health, the Metropolitan Water District, and others to rebuild public trust in tap water and expand access through drinking fountains and refill stations in schools, parks, and public spaces. Their Drinking Fountain Finder App helps Angelenos, and visitors alike locate the nearest public water source — because hydration shouldn't come at the cost of another plastic bottle.
With help from civic champions like Senator Anthony Portantino, Tap Water Day was officially recognized by the California legislature. Why? Because access to safe, clean water — especially after devastating wildfires — isn’t just an infrastructure issue. It’s a matter of equity, climate resilience, and common sense.
This May 1st, I encourage everyone to raise a reusable bottle to the water that flows through our pipes, not our landfills. Trust the tap. Find a fountain. Be part of the future where public water is celebrated, protected, and available for all.
More at WeTap.org
#TapWaterDayIsLife #TrustTheTap #DrinkLocal
(ABE GURKO is the executive producer of a documentary “LOUDER: The Soundtrack of Change,” about the extraordinary Women of Protest Music streaming on MAX. He's an Opinionator who hosts a podcast, "Won't Be Silent," engaging in conversations from the edge of democracy. Abe is a contributor to CityWatchLA.com. [email protected].)
