The post #30 – The Colorado River Reckoning 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.

Key topics include:

• Planning for the next century of water reliability
• The true cost of aging infrastructure
• Preparing for climate whiplash on the Colorado River
• Why major projects aren’t the biggest drivers of water bills
• Balancing affordability with necessary investments

Can Metropolitan invest enough to maintain system reliability while keeping water affordable and trusted? Tune in to hear water leaders address this critical question.

The Southern California Water Coalition educates to advocate. Be part of the conversation. Be part of the solution.

If you like this episode, you may also enjoy What Matters Water TV + Podcast Episode 24, titled Why Does It Take So Long to Build a Water Project, or Episode #8, titled What’s Next for Metropolitan Water District. You can also view photos from the January 23, 2026 luncheon on Flickr HERE, or read our blog post HERE.

The post #27 – Is Your Tap Water Too Cheap? appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

For a century, Southern California has relied on a vital system of imported water brought from hundreds of miles away. But as climate change puts new pressure on those traditional sources, Los Angeles is making a multi-billion-dollar bet on a new, drought-proof local supply: advanced water recycling.

In this episode, we go inside the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant to understand this monumental shift. Can we really turn wastewater into a pure, safe, and reliable source of drinking water? We explore the technology, the cost, and the challenge of building public trust with the people who are essential to making it work:

• Eileen Alduenda (Council for Watershed Health): The environmental advocate focused on community impact and watershed health.
• Joe Broughton (Jacobs Engineering): The engineer who managed the complex construction of the expansion.
• Anselmo Collins (LADWP): The senior manager tasked with securing water for four million people.

Join us as we explore what it takes to turn a city’s wastewater into its most valuable resource, and ask: Is this the future of water in Southern California?

If you like this episode, you may also enjoy What Matters Water TV + Podcast Episode 18, titled Wastewater to Wonder: California’s Charge to Advanced Purified Water. 

The post #26 – L.A. Is Banking on Recycled Water appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

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. 

 

The post SCWC Hosts Landmark Conversation with New MWD Leadership at Santa Anita Park appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

As California faces mounting climate challenges, the conversation around reauthorizing the state’s cap-and-trade program beyond 2030 is heating up. This episode dives into the 2025–26 state budget proposal and explores how revenues from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) could be strategically invested in critical water infrastructure to enhance climate resilience across the state.

Our expert panel includes:

• Johnny Amaral, Chief Operating Officer, Friant Water Authority
• Glenn Farrell, Principal, GF Advocacy
• Jennifer Pierre, General Manager, State Water Contractors

Together, they unpack the policy, politics, and potential of cap-and-trade as a funding mechanism for California’s water future.

Tune in to learn how climate policy and water infrastructure intersect—and why it matters now more than ever.

The post #25 – Cap-and-Trade: Funding Water Infrastructure for Climate Resilience appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

In this episode of What Matters Water, host Charley Wilson explores the complex, often frustrating world of water project development in California. From environmental reviews to legal red tape, we dig into the reasons why progress moves at a glacial pace—and what’s being done to change that.

Charley is joined by three powerhouse guests:

• Jennifer Hernandez, a seasoned land use and environmental attorney with Holland & Knight, who breaks down the permitting puzzle.
• Jerry Brown, Executive Director of the long-awaited Sites Reservoir, who shares the inside story of one of California’s most ambitious water projects.
• Tom Grable, a veteran building industry executive, who connects the dots between water infrastructure and housing development.

Together, they unpack California’s permitting reform efforts, the real-world challenges of building water infrastructure, and what it will take to finally get shovels in the ground.

If you’ve ever wondered why it takes so long to build the water systems we all depend on—this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and get the full story behind the delays, the reforms, and the future of water in California.

The post #24 – Why Does It Take So Long to Build a Water Project? appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

California wildfires aren’t just getting more frequent—they’re getting bigger, faster, and more destructive. When the flames rise, water is our most powerful firefighting tool. But can our water systems handle the demand?

In thiis episode of What Matters Water TV & Podcast, we dive into the critical connection between wildfires and water. How do massive fires impact water quality? Are our water systems built to withstand both drought and high fire demand? And what lessons can we learn from past disasters?

Join us as we hear from experts who have been on the front lines of fire response and water resilience:
🔥 Dr. Erika Fischer – Fire-resilient infrastructure expert from Oregon State University
🔥 Kurt Kowar – Public Works Director who navigated Colorado’s Marshall Fire crisis

Don’t miss this essential conversation on the future of firefighting water supply.

The post #23 – How Wildfires Could Rewrite Water Infrastructure appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

Starting January 1, 2025, new regulations from the State Water Resources Control Board will require major water suppliers to cut water delivery significantly by 2040. This isn’t just about managing water during droughts anymore—this is about building drought resilience into everyday life.

Water agencies across the state will now have to develop community-specific water budgets that account for residential, commercial, and landscape use. The measures include limiting outdoor watering, encouraging water-efficient appliances, and pushing Californians to rethink how we use every drop. And here’s the kicker: failure to comply could cost agencies up to $10,000 a day in fines.

So what does this mean for all of us? Are these changes a burden—or an opportunity to innovate?

In episode 22 of What Matters Water TV + Podcast, we have brought together a panel of experts to explore just that:

• Chelsea Haines, Regulatory Director with the Association of California Water Agencies, offering a statewide perspective on this massive shift.
• Kelly Kopp, Professor and Extension Specialist at Utah State University, who’s focused on water efficiency research.
• William Ringland, Public Affairs and Conservation Manager at East Valley Water District, where smaller agencies are stepping up to meet big expectations.
• Fiona Sanchez, Director of Water Resources at Irvine Ranch Water District, who’s at the forefront of implementing large-scale water solutions.

Together, we’ll unpack the opportunities, the challenges, and the practical steps agencies and communities must take to get this right.

The stakes are high, and only time will tell if these changes deliver a sustainable water future without creating financial strain on communities.

The post #22 – California’s New Water Restrictions appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.