Southern California Water Coalition

SCWC Annual Meeting & Dinner – November 19, 2026

SCWC Staff — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 22:46:16 +0000

The Southern California Water Coalition is thrilled to invite you to our Annual Meeting & Dinner on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at the stunning Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach. This signature event brings together water leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the region for an evening of connection, insight, and celebration.

BUY TICKETS AND SPONSORSHIPS HERE

📍 Event Details

Location: Balboa Bay Resort, 1221 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Time:
- 5:30 p.m. – VIP Reception and Photo Opportunities
- 6:30 p.m. – Dinner and Program

🎟️ Tickets

VIP Reception & Dinner:
- $325 – SCWC Members
- $375 – Non-members
Dinner Only:
- $275 – SCWC Members
- $325 – Non-members

🤝 Sponsorship Opportunities

Support SCWC’s mission and gain visibility among Southern California’s water leaders. Sponsorship levels include:

Founding Sponsor – $20,000
Premier Sponsor – $10,000
Patron Sponsor – $5,000
Table Sponsor – $3,500
Wine Sponsor – $3,000

Each level includes tickets, VIP access, recognition, and promotional opportunities. For full details or to become a sponsor, contact Julie Ackman at jackman@socalwater.org or call 714.335.7500.

🗓️ Important Deadlines

Ticket Redemption Deadline: November 11, 2026
No cancellations or refunds after: November 11, 2026

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating water leadership and collaboration. We look forward to seeing you there!

The post SCWC Annual Meeting & Dinner – November 19, 2026 appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

#31 – AI, Data Centers, and Water

SCWC Staff — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:11:05 +0000

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we live, work, and connect. But behind every AI query, streamed video, uploaded photo, and cloud-based application lies a vast network of data centers that require significant amounts of energy and water to operate.

In Episode 31 of What Matters Water TV & Podcast, we explore the critical intersection of AI, data centers, energy, and water resources. Recorded live at a Southern California Water Coalition event hosted at California State University, Northridge on July 31, 2026, this timely discussion brought together nearly 200 water professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and industry experts to examine one of the most important infrastructure challenges of the digital age.

Host Charley Wilson is joined by an expert panel featuring:

Joseph Fong, Vice President and Global Building Engineering Growth Lead at AECOM
Larry Lidz, Vice President of Software Security at Cisco
Michael Van Dyke of Meta’s Infrastructure and Energy team.

Together, they discuss the rapid growth of AI, the increasing demands being placed on data centers, and the innovative strategies being developed to balance technological advancement with environmental stewardship.

As communities across the country grapple with rising resource demands, this conversation asks a fundamental question: Can innovation and sustainability grow together? Join us as we explore how industry leaders are working to build a smarter future while protecting the water and energy resources that make that future possible.

Watch or listen now to discover why the future of artificial intelligence is also a water conversation.

The post #31 – AI, Data Centers, and Water appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

California’s Water System Faces “Critical Collapse” Without Reform

SCWC Staff — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:53:36 +0000

At the California Water Plan 2028 Advisory Committee meeting on August 26, 2026, Southern California Water Coalition Executive Director Charley Wilson urged action and urgency: California’s outdated water infrastructure is driving toward critical collapse, and without immediate action, the state won’t meet its 2040 reliability needs

Wilson’s Remarks to Committee:

Thank you. I am Charles Wilson, here for the Southern California Water Coalition.

I want to speak directly to the reality we’re facing.

Nature is not waiting on our decision making process. Our historic water system is outdated, over stressed, and driving toward critical collapse. And unless this Water Plan confronts that head on, California will not meet its 2040 reliability needs.

This Plan cannot be another document that describes the problem. It has to drive to the most cost efficient, technologically available, and actually deliverable water supply adjustments we can make—starting now.

The Existing System: We Are Out of Time

DWR’s own studies show the truth: Large portions of the San Joaquin Valley are water supply constrained even with existing infrastructure and contracted supplies.

That is not a theoretical concern. That is a system failing in real time.

We need DWR to break down the constraints—hydrology, storage, infrastructure, water rights, contract limits, environmental requirements, operating criteria—and quantify their actual impact.

Then we need accountability:

What reliability are these requirements costing, and what measurable environmental outcomes are they producing?

If better science, forecasting, monitoring, habitat improvements, technology, or adaptive management can maintain environmental performance while increasing reliability, the Water Plan must say so clearly.

New Projects: A System Designed for Stalemate Cannot Deliver 2040 Reliability

Let’s be honest: We have built a permitting system designed for stalemate.

California can identify storage, recycling, stormwater, recharge, conveyance, desalination—but none of it matters if projects cannot get through permitting and construction in time.

Sites Reservoir proved both sides of the story:

Yes, environmental review can be streamlined without weakening protections.
But the rest of the permitting system still forces projects through sequential, duplicative, slow moving processes.

That is not a system capable of delivering water. That is a system capable of delaying water.

We need reforms that become standard practice:

Early interagency coordination
Concurrent review
Clear decision criteria
Predictable timelines
Site specific science
Performance based standards
Adaptive management

Without these reforms, the Water Plan’s supply projections are not credible.

Our Ask: Put Real Accountability Into the Water Plan

We are asking DWR to include one essential deliverable:

A Regulatory and Operational Constraints Assessment.

It must answer two questions:

How much additional reliability is locked inside the existing system?
What must change—specifically—to make new projects deliverable by 2040?

Because planning water is easy. Delivering water is hard. And nature is not waiting.

We should all be challenged with the same sense of urgency. California must reform a system that has been designed for stalemate and replace it with one designed for delivery.

Thank you.

The post California’s Water System Faces “Critical Collapse” Without Reform appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

SCWC Statement on Legislature’s Passage of SB 872

SCWC Staff — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 22:21:36 +0000

The Legislature has unanimously approved SB 872, Senator Jerry McNerney’s bill to establish the Delta Levees and Canal Subsidence Fund.

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.

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SCWC Statement on Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program and Bay-Delta Plan Update

SCWC Staff — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:21:41 +0000

Statement from Charley Wilson, Executive Director and CEO of the 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.

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Why Water Leaders Choose SCWC: Board Testimonials

SCWC Staff — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:28:15 +0000

Six board members discuss what makes the Southern California Water Coalition a catalyst for meaningful change.

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.

SCWC Board Focuses on Water Policy and Planning at July 31 Board Meeting

SCWC Staff — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:52:31 +0000

The Southern California Water Coalition (SCWC) Board of Directors met July 31, 2026, for its regular quarterly meeting with two major items on the agenda: to sharpen its strategy for securing California’s water future ahead of the November elections and to work with the state on the development of California Water Plan 2028.

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

The meeting’s featured presentation came from Joel Metzger, deputy director of statewide water resources planning for the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and Henry DeBey, manager of DWR’s Planning Division.

They outlined the California Water Plan 2028, a major effort to transform the state’s water plan from a policy document into an action-oriented roadmap.

A key component is California’s first statewide water supply planning target: identifying 9 million acre-feet of additional water supply, conservation or storage capacity by 2040. DWR estimates the state could lose between 6 million and 9 million acre-feet of water supply by that time because of climate and other pressures.

In addition to new projects, the plan will also identify needed regulatory reforms and clarify the state’s role in financing water infrastructure.

Officials emphasized that the 9 million acre-foot goal is a planning target, not a mandate tied to any single project. The plan will evaluate a range of strategies, including infrastructure, groundwater management, flood management, ecosystem restoration, water operations, Tribal engagement and policy development.

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.

SCWC Summer Quarterly Meeting to be Held on July 31, 2026

SCWC Staff — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:26:34 +0000

Join us on Friday, July 31, 2026 for our Quarterly Meeting and Luncheon. This regular gathering draws more than 200 leaders from the sectors of water, government, business, agriculture and nonprofit organizations to share information, network and hear from expert speakers on current water issues affecting Southern California.

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.

#30 – The Colorado River Reckoning

SCWC Staff — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:29:17 +0000

There’s a river that 40 million people depend on—one that built cities, powered economies, and made life possible across the American West. Today, that river is under unprecedented pressure.

In this episode of What Matters Water TV and Podcast, we take you inside a critical conversation from the Southern California Water Coalition’s May 15, 2026 Quarterly Luncheon at Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula. Bringing together some of the most influential voices in Western water policy, this discussion explores the realities, risks, and difficult choices shaping the future of the Colorado River.

Titled “The Colorado River Reckoning,” the conversation captures a moment of urgency as prolonged drought, competing demands, and high-stakes negotiations push the system to its limits. These are the experts working in real time—where decisions are made, tradeoffs are negotiated, and the future of the region is being defined.

You’ll hear insights from:

Chuck Cullom, Executive Director of the Upper Colorado River Commission, offering a multi-state perspective from the Upper Basin
Vineetha Kartha, Colorado River Programs Manager for the Central Arizona Project, sharing the impact on one of the river’s largest users
Bart Leeflang, Assistant General Manager of the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, speaking to growth and water demands in the Upper Basin
Bill Hasencamp, Manager of Colorado River Resources at Metropolitan Water District, connecting the conversation to Southern California communities and economies

Together, they paint a clear picture of a system under strain—and what’s at stake if solutions fall short.

Whether you work in water, follow public policy, or simply expect water to flow when you turn on the tap, this is a conversation you can’t ignore.

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