The Southern California Water Coalition (SCWC) kicked off 2026 with a landmark event on Friday, January 23rd, bringing together key leaders for a critical conversation on the future of our region’s water. The event, held at the iconic Santa Anita Park, drew an impressive crowd of 320 people, all eager to hear from the newly appointed leadership at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD).
The main event featured the first-ever joint appearance of Metropolitan Water District (MWD) Board Chair Adan Ortega, Jr., and the district’s new General Manager, Shivaji Deshmukh. Moderated by SCWC’s own Executive Director and CEO, Charley Wilson, the panel provided invaluable insight into the new leadership’s shared vision for a resilient and reliable water future. This important conversation will be published online as a future episode of What Matters Water TV and Podcast, so stay tuned!
But the day was more than just a panel discussion. It was a full-day affair that included:
- An SCWC Board meeting to kick off the day’s events.
- An exclusive VIP tour of the historic Santa Anita Park, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary racetrack.
- A touch of fun and excitement with the first race of the day being named the “SoCal Water Race for Resilience,” where attendees had the chance to cheer on the horses and take some memorable photos.
This important luncheon was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Parsons, and to Michael Drennan from Parsons for delivering the opening introduction. We also extend our sincere appreciation to our additional sponsors: Burbank Water and Power, Crescenta Valley Water District, Glendale Water and Power, Kiewit, Pasadena Water and Power, Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, Three Valleys Municipal Water District, and the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority.
The energy and engagement throughout the day were palpable, reflecting the collective commitment to collaboration and innovation in the water sector. We extend our sincere thanks to our esteemed panelists, all our members, and the 320 attendees who joined us for this important and memorable event. We look forward to continuing the conversation and working together to build a sustainable water future for all.
View a larger gallery of event photos on Flickr HERE.