State and local water agencies unveil mural near State Capitol encouraging Californians to save water

(Sacramento, Calif., May 26, 2022) — With support from water service providers statewide, a new mural in downtown Sacramento is encouraging all Californians to save water as the drought continues.

Called the California Water Wall, the mural is an enduring reminder that saving water is a California way of life, whether during this ongoing drought or in wetter conditions. California is currently experiencing its third consecutive year of serious drought, and we all must do our part by saving water in order to get through the upcoming hot and dry summer months.

“The mural is more than a beautiful and vibrant artwork. It’s also an everyday call for Californians to save water no matter the month, season, or year,” said Danielle Blacet-Hyden, deputy executive director of the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA), the mural project’s organizer. “Our hope is that when Californians see or visit the mural, they will be inspired to recommit to saving water.”

More than thirty water providers and agencies in California are sponsors of the water mural in downtown Sacramento, located only a few blocks away from the State Capitol. Major sponsors include the California Municipal Utilities Association, Association of California Water Agencies, Regional Water Authority, California Water Association, City of Sacramento Department of Utilities, and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The mural, measuring 100 feet long and 20 feet tall, emphasizes water’s importance to California, its people, and environment. Two California artists completed the California Water Wall in a span of about 10 days.

“Extreme cycles of hot and dry weather makes water conservation our best tool to ensure that we have enough water supply to meet our current and future needs,” said Margaret Mohr, Deputy Director of Communications for the California Department of Water Resources and Save Our Water spokesperson. “Local efforts to educate communities about the drought and the urgent need for conservation — like this beautiful and impactful mural — are important reminders that by each doing our part to save water, we can help make our water last.”

“I am proud our local water agencies are sharing a powerful message of water conservation and in a creative way with the Wide Open Walls festival in Sacramento.” City of Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “Water is a precious resource and conservation is one of the most important tools to protect our water supply during a persistent severe drought.”

“With the unveiling of this beautiful work of art in the heart of Sacramento, the River City, we stand together, united as the water management community of the Golden State,” Dave Eggerton, executive director, Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA). “Let this mural inspire each and every Californian who sees it to commit to doing their part to care for and invest in our most precious resource: water.”

“The California Water Association is proud to support the Water Wall, another in a series of urban art projects that help improve the quality of life in Sacramento. We hope the mural spurs feelings of wonder, curiosity, concern, and action related to our most precious resource,” said Jennifer Capitolo, executive director, California Water Association (CWA).
 
“The Water Wall will serve as a constant, beautiful reminder of how important it is to use our water resources wisely every day,” said Jim Peifer, executive director, Regional Water Authority (RWA).
 
For more information about the mural and to see photographs, visit www.CAWaterWall.org. Share photographs and selfies using the hashtag #cawaterwall.
 
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About the California Water Wall
With support from water service providers statewide, the California Water Wall mural was completed in May 2022 during California’s third consecutive year of drought. The artwork in downtown Sacramento is an enduring reminder of the importance of saving water year-round. For more information, visit www.CAWaterWall.org.
 
About Save Our Water
Save Our Water is California’s statewide water conservation program. Started in 2009 by the California Department of Water Resources, Save Our Water’s goal is to make water conservation a daily habit among Californians. The program reaches millions of Californians each year through partnerships with local water agencies and other community-based organizations, social marketing efforts, paid and earned media and event sponsorships. Please visit SaveOurWater.com and follow @saveourwater on Twitter and @SaveOurWaterCA on Facebook
 
Media Contacts
For information about the California Water Wall:
Matt Williams
CMUA Communications Director
[email protected] | (916) 841-4054

For information about Save Our Water:
Hayley Carbullido
[email protected] | (916) 833-6076