Don’t Drain the Colorado River. Create Water Instead. By Jim Madaffer, op-ed for The Washington Post

• Watch or listen to our latest podcast on The Colorado River Reckoning

California Moves Closer to Rewriting the Rules of the Delta by Camille von Kaenel for POLITICO

• Read SCWC’s statement on new Final Draft of the Bay-Delta Plan

State Legislature Greenlights McNerney’s Plan to Protect CA’s Water, Office of Senator Jerry McNerney Press Office

• Read SCWC’s statement on the passage of SB 872

The post Top 3 California Water News Stories of the Week appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

The measure creates a framework for securing state, federal, and private investment to address two growing threats to California’s water system: aging Delta levees and land subsidence that is reducing the capacity of the State Water Project. The bill received rare support from both environmental advocates and water agencies, demonstrating a shared commitment to protecting California’s water future.

SCWC Executive Director and CEO Charley Wilson applauded the bill’s passage, stating:

“The Southern California Water Coalition applauds Senator McNerney and the Legislature for the unanimous passage of SB 872. This is the kind of action and collaboration California needs to protect the water infrastructure that millions of people, businesses, and communities depend on every day.

More than half of California’s nearly 40 million residents live in Southern California, and our communities and economy depend on reliable and affordable water. Protecting the Delta’s levees and addressing subsidence that has reduced the capacity of the State Water Project are not simply regional issues. These are investments in a statewide water system that supports our communities, economy, agriculture and environment.

California does not lack knowledge about its water challenges. We know our infrastructure is aging, we know where many of the vulnerabilities are, and we know many of the investments that need to be made. The unanimous support for SB 872 shows what is possible when we move beyond the old North-versus-South water debates and focus on solutions that benefit the entire state.

Passing SB 872 is an important step. Now we need to finish the job. We encourage Governor Newsom to sign the bill and the Legislature and Administration to provide the funding necessary to put it to work. Reliable water infrastructure is not simply a cost—it is an investment in California’s future. The urgency is real. Now we need to turn that urgency into action and deliver results.”

Read the press release from Senator Jerry McNerney’s office HERE.

The Southern California Water Coalition (SCWC) – established in 1984 – is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public education partnership dedicated to informing Southern Californians about our water needs and our state’s water resources.

The post SCWC Statement on Legislature’s Passage of SB 872 appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

“The Southern California Water Coalition strongly supports the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program as a practical, science‑based path forward for California. With more than half of the state’s nearly 40 million residents and a major share of its economy depending on reliable, affordable water supplies, Southern California has a profound stake in both a healthy Bay‑Delta and a functional statewide water system.”

“We urge the State Water Board to resolve the remaining issues in a way that preserves the program’s core strengths—sound science, adaptive management, accountability, and long‑term certainty. California has spent decades debating these challenges. Now is the time to move from debate to action and deliver measurable results for our environment, our economy, and our communities.”

On August 19, 2026, the State Water Resources Control Board released for public review and comment a final draft of updates to the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Watershed (Bay-Delta Plan or Plan) and the final Staff Report/Substitute Environmental Document (Staff Report) in support of the Sacramento/Delta updates to the Bay-Delta Plan. Written comments are due on September 18, 2026. The Board will consider adoption of the final draft Plan and final Staff Report at public meetings taking place October 28-30, 2026 in Sacramento. Read the notice, plan and report HERE. 

The Southern California Water Coalition (SCWC) – established in 1984 – is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public education partnership dedicated to informing Southern Californians about our water needs and our state’s water resources.

The post SCWC Statement on Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program and Bay-Delta Plan Update appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

Some of the most powerful solutions occur when different voices come together to solve problems. We asked some Board members what made them feel like their time was being well spent at our Quarterly Luncheons and SCWC. Read on to see what they said.

The Power of Building Community Around Common Goals

Dawn Taffler, SCWC Board Member and CA Water Market Growth Director at Jacobs, describes what she believes is the most important part of what we do here:

“The best part of SCWC is the community. You leave every luncheon with new ideas, stronger relationships, and a broader perspective on the water issues that matter most to California.“

While building these types of connections has long-term benefits beyond individual events, this type of collaboration helps build the foundation for the relationships needed to create real change in policies that affect the lives of millions of Southern Californian residents.

Access to Policy Makers Unmatched by Any Other Organization

Carol Lee Gonzales-Brady, SCWC Board Member and V.P. of Rancho Water’s Board of Directors, recognizes the opportunity for direct policy input provided by our platform:

“Our SCWC Quarterly Luncheons provide unprecedented access and direct engagement with state officials and industry leaders, creating meaningful dialogue that directly influences water policies affecting millions of Southern Californians.”

Removing Hype and Hyperbole About Complex Issues

Brian Jordan, SCWC Vice Chair and Chief Growth Officer at GISI Consulting Group, appreciates the fact that we focus on providing insight into complex issues rather than hype:

“I value the Southern California Water Coalition because they remove the hyperbole surrounding critical policy topics, provide access to true experts and practitioners, and synthesize various viewpoints on complex issues. This is critical on a policy area as ubiquitous as AI. I’m really looking forward to the next quarterly luncheon and hearing from the panel on how we can distill the key issues from the algorithmic clutter that surrounds this topic.“

The Intersection Between Technology & Water Infrastructure

As we move toward new challenges created by the interconnection of technology and water infrastructure systems, Steve Elie, SCWC 2nd Vice Chair and President of Inland Empire Utilities Agency’s Board of Directors, points out the timely nature of our discussions:

“I’m excited to hear from industry leaders from Meta and Cisco at the SCWC Quarterly Luncheon on this cutting-edge AI issue—data centers represent the critical intersection of water, energy, and technology.“

Robb Grantham, SCWC Board Member and General Manager of Santa Margarita Water District further defines this intersection:

“The AI revolution is not only creating extraordinary opportunities, but it is also changing how our nation thinks about water, energy, and infrastructure. The conversation that SCWC is hosting is not about choosing between technology and sustainability—rather, it is about developing a path that brings them together through innovation, partnerships to expand recycled water and other new water supplies, responsible energy planning, and the intelligent use of AI to strengthen public utilities.“

A Vision for Leadership Into the Next Generation

Mayor Acquanetta Warren, SCWC Board Chair and Mayor of the City of Fontana reminds us of our ultimate goal:

“Nothing is more rewarding than working alongside so many dedicated water agencies to shape policy, invest in critical water infrastructure, and help develop the next generation of water leaders. Together, we are committed to ensuring a reliable, sustainable water supply for our communities—not just for today, but for future generations. By planning ahead and working collaboratively, we’re protecting one of our most valuable resources for everyone.“

Be Part Of The Solution

Are you ready to contribute to the solution? To learn more about upcoming events and membership opportunities visit our Join Us page. 

The post Why Water Leaders Choose SCWC: Board Testimonials appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

A Call for Urgency

SCWC Executive Director Charley Wilson presented a plan to develop a “Water Urgency Declaration.” This document will create a clear, unified roadmap for engaging incoming policymakers on the investments, actions and process/regulatory reform needed to strengthen California’s water system. The declaration will highlight the growing challenges from climate change, aging infrastructure, and increasing regulatory complexity. At the Board meeting, facilitator Dan Speicher introduced the framework that will be used to put the declaration together at an invitation-only roundtable to be held in October.

Shaping the California Water Plan 2028

Get Involved

DWR is holding a public advisory committee meeting for the Water Plan in Southern California. SCWC encourages water professionals and local leaders to attend.

• When: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 1-5 p.m. (livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/live/PkdLeDmoZp4)  and Wednesday, Aug. 26, 8:30 a.m. – noon. (livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/live/zeRNibjdpdE)
• Where: Los Angeles County Public Works, 900 S. Fremont Ave., Alhambra.
• Watch: The meeting will be streamed live on YouTube.

The SCWC board stressed that engagement now is critical to ensuring water remains a top priority for the state’s next generation of leaders.

The post SCWC Board Focuses on Water Policy and Planning at July 31 Board Meeting appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

The topic is AI, Data Centers, and Water: Balancing Innovation and Sustainability. Speakers are:

• Joseph Fong, VP, Global Building Engineering Growth Lead, AECOM
• Larry Lidz, VP of Software Security, Cisco
• Michael Van Dyke, Infrastructure + Energy, Meta

The Q3 2026 gathering will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at the Orchard Conference Center on the California State University, Northridge campus, located at 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, California.

Ticket sales are closed as of Friday, July 24, 2026. Individual tickets cost $150. Sponsorships are available for $2,500 and include ten seats at the luncheon.

Summer casual attire is recommended.

RSVP today to reserve your place: https://secure.anedot.com/southern-california-water-coalition/scwcjuly31quarterlylunch

Presenting Sponsor: AECOM

Luncheon Sponsors: Calleguas Municipal Water District, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, Santa Clarita Valley Water, United Water Conservation District, and Ventura Water.

Download the flyer HERE.

The post SCWC Summer Quarterly Meeting to be Held on July 31, 2026 appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

The post #30 – The Colorado River Reckoning appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

The four-minute animated film, created by Epipheo Studio, was developed as a cornerstone of SCWC’s recent communications campaign to advance understanding of water recycling and purification in California.

The Telly Awards recognize excellence in video and television across all screens, celebrating standout work from organizations, agencies, and creators worldwide. This recognition places Renewed among the most impactful and innovative storytelling efforts in today’s media landscape.

SCWC’s video, produced by Epipheo, received top recognition in several highly competitive categories:

• Gold Telly Awards
  • Animated Marketing & Communication – Nonprofit
  • Animated Marketing & Communication – Sustainability & Environment
  • Animated Marketing & Communication – Art Direction
  • Animated Marketing & Communication – 3D/CG Animation
• Silver Telly Award
  • Animated Marketing & Communication – Writing

The post SCWC Video Project Renewed: The Journey to Safe Drinking Water Earns Multiple Telly Awards appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

This episode shifts the conversation from engineering to storytelling.

The post #29 – The Power of Water Storytelling appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

In this candid 50-minute discussion, Director Nemeth doesn’t hold back about the “hard realities” facing California’s water future. From atmospheric rivers that kept her awake worrying about levee failures to the impossible math of replacing the State Water Project (hint: it would require a Carlsbad-sized desalination plant every four miles along the coast), this conversation cuts through the politics to reveal what’s really at stake.

Nemeth explains why California’s snowpack peaked in February instead of April this year and what that shift means for our long-term water security. She discusses the critical importance of underground storage in depleted aquifers, the role of the Delta Conveyance Project, and why flexibility must replace finger-pointing between local and state agencies. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes that these challenges aren’t future problems to plan for—they’re happening right now, requiring immediate action and uncomfortable conversations about cost, value, and priorities.

“We are going to have to get comfortable with the uncertainty,” Nemeth warns. “I think we know enough to move forward and faster than what we’re able to do right now.” Her final one-word prediction for California’s water future might surprise you.

The post #28 – The Hard Truths of California Water appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.