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.

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.

• Support Letter Signed by 120+ organizations
• Governor Gavin Newsom’s News Release
• Maven’s Notebook Coverage of Announcement
• Californians for Water Security’s Email on the Announcement
• Watch Charley Wilson’s Facebook Video on the Announcement

The post SCWC Applauds Governor Newsom’s Trailer Bill to Advance Delta Conveyance 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.

Assemblywoman Rubio brings decades of experience in water management—from being the youngest member of a local water board to her influential role on the State’s Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee for seven years.

Tune in as we explore:

• The tug-of-war over water resources between Northern and Southern California
• The challenges of legislative compromise
• Pivotal moments that have shaped her journey in water policy

You won’t want to miss this insightful conversation! Catch Episode #19 now and stay informed about the issues that matter most to our communities.

The post #19 – Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

California’s water regulator is leading the charge towards a future where purified wastewater becomes clean, delicious drinking water for all. But people have questions about how advanced water purification will work, and we’re here to get some answers from the people who are turning wastewater into wonder.

In Episode 18 of What Matters Water TV + Podcast, we are diving deep into how we can squeeze every last drop of use out of our water resources. In this episode, we’re exploring Direct Potable Reuse or DPR (also known as advanced water purification). Whatever you want to call it it, this is California’s groundbreaking solution to water scarcity.

To unravel the nuances of DPR, we’ve gathered a panel of experts. Tony Estremera from Valley Water will shed light on the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center, a pioneering facility in northern California.

Also, joining us is Dave Pedersen, overseeing operations at Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and serving as President of WaterReuse California.

And Dawn Taffler is a recycled water specialist at Kennedy Jenks, bringing extensive expertise in planning, engineering, and demystifying the complexities of water reuse.

From ‘advanced purified water’ to public education, we’ll delve into cutting-edge technologies and regulations ensuring the safety of reclaimed water. It’s a tale of scarcity, science, and human ingenuity. And let’s not reduce it to just “toilet to tap,” as the process entails far more complexity and innovation than the term suggests.

Tune in as we dive into the depths of advanced water purification – this is not your average water cooler chat!

The post #18 – Wastewater to Wonder: California’s Charge to Advanced Purified Water appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

Join us as we explore their remarkable achievements and how their agencies have joined forces to make a significant impact on their community’s water resources. From their “fail fast” mindset to their entrepreneurial spirit, these two general managers of San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District and San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District share their insights on fostering innovation in the water policy field.

But this episode is more than just about water management. It’s about two trailblazing women breaking barriers and excelling in traditionally male-dominated industries. They also open up about their experiences as the only females in professional meetings and how they use their unique perspectives as biologists to drive change.

So whether you’re passionate about water conservation or interested in women’s leadership in science and engineering, this episode is a must-listen. Don’t miss out on this engaging conversation that will leave you motivated and inspired. Join us now on “What Matters Water TV + Podcast” for the ripple effect of collaboration in San Bernardino water management!

Want more related content? Check out these related episodes of What Matters Water TV + Podcast:

Episode #11 – Cultivating a Secure Water Future for California

Hear from Heather Dyer and Craig Miller, general manager of Western Municipal Water District, who are trying to push the conversation about California water beyond the drought.

Episode #7 – Sites Reservoir and Future of Water Storage in California

Hear from Heather Dyer, Jerry Brown, executive director of Sites Project Authority, Frederick “Fritz” Durst, board chair of Sites Project Authority, and Adel Hagekhalil, general manager of Metropolitan Water District on how Sites Reservoir in the Sacramento Valley is the future of water storage in California and why it’s so crucial for our entire state.

Episode #6 – Women Leaders in Southern California Water

Heather Dyer joins Sandra Kerl, the general manager of the San Diego County Water Authority, Joone Lopez, the general manager of Moulton Niguel Water District, and Kris Murray, chair of the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board and president of KLM Strategies.

The post #17 – Ripple Effect: The Power of Collaboration in Water appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

Together, we explore the challenges and solutions in ensuring equitable access to clean drinking water. From engaging communities to navigating governance, we delve into the complexities of this vital issue. Join us on this journey to make California’s “Human Right to Water” a reality, and discover how we can work towards a future with equitable, accessible, and affordable water for all in Southern California.

Whether you’re a seasoned water advocate or new to the discussion, our podcast provides a platform to navigate the depths of water equity, inclusion, and affordability. Dive in and join the conversation for positive change!

The post #16 – Water Equity in Southern California appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.