“After three days of thoughtful analysis, presentation and robust public input, we were proud to testify on behalf of the Southern California Water Coalition in January 2026 in support of advancing the update to the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan through voluntary agreements and the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes framework. Californians deserve durable, science-driven solutions that improve conditions for native fish while keeping water reliable and affordable for people, businesses and farms.

We’re encouraged by the early progress already visible across the watershed—dozens of on-the-ground habitat projects paired with strategically timed flows, monitoring and adaptive management. Results on Putah Creek and the Mokelumne River show that when agencies, communities and conservation partners work together, we can balance ecosystem needs with water supply reliability.

For Southern California, a dependable Delta is the backbone of an integrated water portfolio. Delta reliability, combined with smart local investments—water recycling, conservation, stormwater capture and storage—and affordability-focused planning, is how we build a resilient, equitable water future for the entire state.“We appreciate the Water Board’s careful process and Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration for its leadership in convening collaborative solutions. SCWC’s role is to help educate public policy leaders and the communities we serve so they can make informed choices. We invite Californians to review the record, stay engaged, and be part of the process as we turn consensus into action.”

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 Backs Bay-Delta Plan at 2026 State Water Board Hearings appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

At the Southern California Water Coalition, we agree that Californians across the political spectrum are feeling frustration with ideology that talks past real-world problems and a growing demand for government that simply works. The political center isn’t apathetic — it’s impatient. The silent majority isn’t disengaged because they don’t care; they’re disengaged because caring hasn’t produced results.

What energizes them is competence, predictability, and outcomes that improve daily life.

Water policy illustrates this better than almost any issue. For far too long, California has been trapped in process-heavy debates that reward delay, litigation, and obstruction, even as droughts, floods, and aging infrastructure intensify. Yet when voters are asked to support practical, results-oriented solutions — building new water storage, expanding water recycling, modernizing conveyance, repairing levees, or strengthening regional supply reliability — they respond across party and regional lines. A Central Valley grower, a Southern California homeowner, and an urban renter may disagree on many policies, but they all expect safe, affordable, and reliable water when they turn on the tap.

Californians have repeatedly demonstrated this pragmatism by approving multi-billion-dollar water bond measures with the expectation that those funds would deliver real infrastructure and real reliability. All too often, however, voters have watched those dollars be consumed by process — layers of planning, evaluations, environmental reviews, and studies — while promised facilities are delayed, downsized, or never built at all. That failure fuels public frustration and reinforces the sense that the system is better at pandering than producing water.

Make no mistake, a quiet rebellion is taking shape: a broad coalition is on the rise demanding systems that function and leaders who can deliver. In water, as in housing and energy, this is not about left versus right. It’s about results over rhetoric — and the growing resolve of Californians who are ready to hold government accountable at all levels for results.

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 Results Over Rhetoric: A Quiet Rebellion Is Demanding Action on California Water appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

This latest issue of California Water magazine takes on this challenge, tackling the causes behind the drought while also highlighting innovative ways that residents, businesses, and water agencies are stretching water supplies through efficient use, recycling, reuse and more during these hard times.

Causes of the Drought?
The drought that has gripped California and the Western United States for the past several years has been caused by a combination of factors. Low precipitation levels are obviously a major contributing factor, but other factors such as high temperatures, increased evaporation, and changes in atmospheric conditions have also played a role. The net result is that reservoirs that California depends on are at dangerously low levels, with some even approaching dryness.

What’s Needed Next
To address the water crisis, we need to change both our individual habits and our state policies. On an individual level, we can all do our part to conserve water by making small changes in our daily lives, such as taking shorter showers, watering our plants during cooler hours of the day, and using a broom instead of a hose to clean our driveways and sidewalks. If everyone does their part, it will make a big difference. On a policy level, state leaders need to prioritize investment in infrastructure projects that will ensure the reliability of our state’s water supply. Only by working together can we hope to bring an end to this crisis.

Please connect with us on Facebook or Instagram, where you’ll find us under the username socalwater. We will love to hear from you!

Charley Wilson
Executive Director
The Southern California Water Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public education partnership is dedicated to informing Southern Californians about our water needs and our state’s water resources.

The post California’s Drought: What Comes Next? appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

“I’m so grateful to be serving a collaborative partnership dedicated to Southern California’s water needs,” said Rutherford.

Rutherford has a long history in public service, including serving on Fontana City Council in 2000 where she served three terms, serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission as well as the Fontana Planning Commission. Rutherford was then elected to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and was selected to serve as Chair of the board in 2013, consequently reelected as Second District Supervisor in 2014, and re-elected again in 2018.

“We’re very fortunate to have an experienced and passionate community leader joining the force for the advancement of water policy and state water resource education,” said SCWC Executive Director, Charles Wilson. “I’m so pleased to welcome her as our new chair.”

Rutherford currently serves on many boards with the County, including the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the Inland Empire Economic Partnership, and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority. With over a decade of experience serving on City Council as well as many awards and recognitions for her dedication to community service, the SCWC looks forward to Janice Rutherford’s contributions to the coalition.

Established in 1984, the Southern California Water Committee is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public education partnership dedicated to informing Southern Californians about our water needs and our state’s water resources. Spanning Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, Ventura and Kern counties, the SCWC’s members include representatives from business, government, agriculture, water agencies, labor and the general public.

The post SCWC Board elects San Bernardino County Supervisor Janice Rutherford as Chair appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.