Click here to view photos from the Southern California Conference.
Click here to view presentations from the panelists.
2022 is WELL’s 10-year anniversary, to celebrate we are hosting a conference series. The second conference will take place from Friday, June 10 to Saturday, June 11, 2022, at the Water Replenishment District of Southern California, Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling and Environmental Learning in Pico Rivera, CA.
Water is one of the top public policy issues affecting our state. Are you involved in the water discussion? Join us to learn more about this critical issue and help support your residents and local economy as the state faces a third year of drought.
Conference Overview:
June 10: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Tour of Water Replenishment District of Southern California, Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling and Environmental Learning; Evening Reception
June 11: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Conference
Panel 1: How is climate change impacting our water supply, and are cities prepared for the future?Description: Panelists will discuss the consequences of climate change on the water industry. They will discuss questions such as: What are the environmental and human-induced factors causing climate change? What are the impacts of rising temperatures on the frequency of extended drought periods, natural and built infrastructure, and wildfires?
Moderator: Sherry Wanninger, Director, Moulton Niguel Water District
Panelists:
Shivaji Deshmukh, General Manager, Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Vanessa Velasco, Senior Environmental Scientist – Specialist, Climate Change Specialist | Southern Region Office, California Department of Water Resources
Dr. Tapan Pathak, Specialist in Climate Adaptation in Agriculture, UC Merced – Sierra Nevada Research Institute
Panel 2: What is driving the rising costs of delivering water to residents and businesses, and what resources and strategies are available to mitigate such costs?Description: Panelists will share strategies and programs to help offset the cost of rising water prices and grant opportunities for infrastructure improvement projects. They will discuss questions such as: How would a water rate increase affect residents and businesses? How are conservation efforts, aging infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and contaminants impacting the financial outlook for local water agencies? How can local officials protect vulnerable ratepayers under the confines of Prop 218 and Prop 26? How can the public financial burden of water investment projects be minimized?
Moderator: Dr. Monica Sanchez, Mayor, City of Pico Rivera
Panelists:
Meg McWade, Director of Public Works, City of Fullerton
Anselmo Collins, Senior Assistant General Manager of the Water System, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Dr. Maura Allaire, Assistant Professor, UC Irvine
Small-Group Discussion: How can you prepare your constituents for increased water rates?Description: Attendees will break into small groups and select a moderator to lead this discussion on how local elected officials can prepare residents and businesses for upcoming water rate increases.
Moderator: David Muse, Vice President, Valley County Water District
Panel 3: What new water initiatives could lead Californians toward sustainable water usage in the future?Description: Panelists will discuss current water projects and policy initiatives in California to show how diversifying the water supply and improving water efficiency will lessen the demand for imported water to large metropolitan communities. Questions to ask include: Where does all of California’s imported water end up after it is used? Can water supplies be increased without importing new water? What are other regions doing to be more efficient with their water usage?
Moderator: Danielle Soto, Director – Division VI, Three Valleys Municipal Water District
Panelists:
Gregory Pierce, Co-Director, UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Esther Valle Rojas, Manager of Watermaster Services & Water Resources, Water Replenishment District of Southern California
Kurt Schwabe, Associate Dean/Professor of Environmental Economics and Policy, School of Public Policy, UC Riverside
