The Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance (GYWSA) will launch its 2026 Water Safety Campaign this May, marking the third year of a coordinated, countywide effort to prevent drownings and promote safe water practices across the region.

May is recognized nationally as National Water Safety Month, making it a critical time to raise awareness as Yuma enters peak swim season. In a community where water is a part of everyday life—from neighborhood pools to the Colorado River—water safety remains an ongoing priority. The Yuma City Council will formally recognize the effort with a proclamation on May 6.

Now in its third year, GYWSA continues to bring together a growing network of partners committed to protecting lives through education, outreach, and expanded access to resources. The Alliance includes the City of Yuma and Yuma County; the communities of San Luis, Somerton, and Wellton; community partners such as the Prison Hill Liquid Foundation; and regional healthcare providers including Onvida Health, Exceptional Community Hospital – Yuma, Regional Center for Border Health, and Sunset Health.

At the core of the campaign is the NDPA’s Five Layers of Protection, reinforcing that multiple safeguards—barriers, supervision, swim skills, life jackets, and emergency preparedness—work together to prevent drownings.

For 2026, the Alliance is focused on expanding access to swim lessons through scholarships, increasing water safety and CPR education opportunities, and continuing to invest in prevention efforts across Yuma County. Residents are encouraged to contact their local Parks and Recreation office to learn more about available swim lesson scholarships, particularly for young children ages 6 months to 5 years.

“Water is a part of everyday life here in Yuma, and with that comes a shared responsibility to keep our community safe,” said Jennifer Reichelt, Deputy City Administrator. “As we launch the third year of this campaign, the Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance continues to bring partners together to raise awareness, expand access to education, and prevent drownings. This work is about protecting our families and ensuring everyone can safely enjoy the water.”

The 2026 campaign will be anchored by a series of community events and outreach efforts designed to engage residents and provide practical tools to stay safe around water:

Campaign Kickoff Party & Fundraiser
Thursday, May 7 | 5–7 p.m.
Prison Hill Brewing Company
A family-friendly event to launch the season, connect with partners, and support swim lesson scholarships

Water Safety Day
Saturday, June 6 | Valley Aquatic Center
Water Safety Fair: 8–10 a.m.
Free Swim: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
A community-wide event focused on education, resources, and safe summer fun

Throughout the season, residents will also have expanded opportunities to participate in water safety workshops and CPR training classes offered in partnership with local healthcare providers and community organizations. The campaign will also include a coordinated outreach effort featuring weekly water safety messaging, public service announcements on local radio, and expanded social media engagement to reinforce key safety practices throughout the summer.

Drowning remains a leading cause of death for young children and can happen quickly and silently. Through a unified, proactive approach, GYWSA is working to ensure families have the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to prevent tragedies before they occur.

Community members are encouraged to get involved by attending events, participating in training opportunities, sharing water safety information, and supporting swim lesson scholarships. Residents can also contact their local Parks and Recreation office to learn about swim lessons, display water safety materials in their homes or businesses, and help amplify the message through social media.

For more information, a full schedule of events, resources, and details on water safety and CPR workshops, visit www.yumaaz.gov/watersafety.