Statement from Chair Varela supporting DACA

September 07, 2017

As the Chair of the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board, I am deeply disturbed by the decision of the Trump Administration to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. We must stand in support of DACA and the young people whose lives would be severely and dangerously disrupted if the program were discontinued.

Our community thrives when we value all the people within it, regardless of their status. Removing a sector of our population who contribute to our community and our economy because they have been labeled “illegal” is misguided at best, and cruel at worst. In terms of our workforce, at the Santa Clara Valley Water District, we value all of the hard-working people behind your water. We have said it publicly many times recently, but we will say it again – ALL are welcome here.

Valley Water manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's 2 million residents. The district effectively manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 285 acres of groundwater recharge ponds and 333 miles of waterways. We provide wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to homes and businesses in Santa Clara County.