The Water Education Foundation is proud to announce the release of a Spanish-language edition of its widely used Layperson’s Guide to California Water, making one of the state’s most trusted educational resources available to Spanish-speaking Californians for the first time.

For years, our Layperson’s Guide to California Water has helped readers understand the complex systems, policies and challenges that have shaped and continue to influence management of California’s water supply. The new Spanish-language version reflects the organization’s commitment to ensuring that even more Californians have access to reliable, easy-to-understand information about the state’s most critical natural resource.

The guide’s English version was updated by Foundation writer Matt Jenkins earlier this year, allowing the translation to include the most recent information.

“Water affects every Californian and understanding how our water systems work is essential for participating in conversations that shape decisions in our state,” said Jenn Bowles, the Foundation’s executive director. “By offering our Layperson’s Guide to California Water in Spanish, we are expanding access to critical information and helping ensure that even more Californians can engage in discussions about water management, sustainability and the future of our state.”

California has the largest Spanish-speaking population in the United States, with roughly 10.4 to 15 million residents speaking the language. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, 28.8% of all Californians aged 5 or older speak Spanish at home, slightly above second-place Texas at 28.2%

Bowles said the Foundation was fortunate to have the translation completed by Laura Ramos, director of the California Water Institute at Fresno State, who brings a deep understanding of California water issues.

“Her involvement ensured that the Spanish edition is not only accurate, but also clear and culturally relevant,” Bowles said. “Laura brought a deep appreciation for the nuances of both the subject matter and the language, helping us create a resource that will resonate with Spanish-speaking readers.”

Ramos, a longtime fan of the Foundation’s series of Layperson’s Guides on key water topics such as water rights, groundwater and the Colorado River, jumped at the opportunity.

“California’s water system affects people in every community, but language barriers can sometimes limit access to important information,” Ramos said. “Providing educational resources in the languages people speak at home helps create more informed and engaged communities, and I’m honored to have contributed to that effort.”

The Spanish edition maintains the same clear, non-technical approach that has made the original guide a valuable resource for students, community members, policymakers and anyone seeking a better understanding of California water.

The guide covers topics including:

• California’s water supply and infrastructure
• Surface water and groundwater management
• Water rights and governance
• Agricultural, urban and environmental water use
• Drought, climate change and long-term water challenges
• Efforts to expand access to clean and affordable drinking water for all communities in the state

Get your copy of the Spanish-language edition of the Layperson’s Guide to California Water.