INTERNATIONAL, SAYS THE ALLEGATIONS ARE WITHOUT MERIT. A NEW STUDY BY UC DAVIS IS HIGHLIGHTING WHAT IT CALLS INEQUITIES IN CALIFORNIA’S WATER MANAGEMENT. THE NONPROFIT GROUP WATER EDUCATION FOR LATINO LEADERS, OR WELL SPONSORED THE STUDY AND UNVEILED IT TODAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL. THEY SAY IT SHOWS WOMEN ONLY MAKE UP ABOUT 27% OF WATER BOARD POSITIONS. LATINOS OCCUPY ONLY 15% OF BOARD SEATS, AND OTHER PEOPLE OF COLOR ONLY HOLD 5% OF BOARD POSITIONS. THEY SAY THE LACK OF DIVERSITY MEANS WATER AGENCIES DON’T REPRESENT MOST. CALIFORNIANS. HAVING PEOPLE FROM ALL THESE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY WILL BRING DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES, WILL BRING OUR VALUES, WILL BRING OUR IDENTITIES, WILL BRING OUR CULTURES SO WE CAN HAVE IMPROVED STRATEGIES, REPRESENTATION MATTERS WHEN LEADERSHIP IS REFLECTIVE OF THE PEOPLE IT SERVES AND OUTCOMES ARE IMPROVED FOR EVERYONE. THE STUDY RECOMMENDS WATER BOARDS ACROSS THE STATE BECOME MORE TRANSPARENT, TRANSPARENT WI
UC Davis study reveals diversity gaps in California water management
Updated: 5:19 PM PDT Aug 21, 2025
A UC Davis study is highlighting what it calls inequities in California’s water management, showing underrepresentation of women and people of color in positions on water boards. Sponsored by the nonprofit group Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL), the study was unveiled at the State Capitol, revealing that women occupy only about 27% of water board positions, Latinos hold 15% of board seats, and other people of color account for just 5% of board positions. The group says this lack of diversity means water agencies do not adequately represent most Californians. The study recommends that water boards across the state become more transparent with their practices and actively seek more community input.See more in the video above. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
A UC Davis study is highlighting what it calls inequities in California’s water management, showing underrepresentation of women and people of color in positions on water boards.
Sponsored by the nonprofit group Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL), the study was unveiled at the State Capitol, revealing that women occupy only about 27% of water board positions, Latinos hold 15% of board seats, and other people of color account for just 5% of board positions.
The group says this lack of diversity means water agencies do not adequately represent most Californians.
The study recommends that water boards across the state become more transparent with their practices and actively seek more community input.
See more in the video above.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
