WELL held its 2025 Annual Statewide Conference from March 7–8, 2025, in Garden Grove, California. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to a successful and engaging event!
Friday kicked off with a tour of the Orange County Water District’s Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), hosted by General Manager John Kennedy. The tour was followed by an evening reception at the Hyatt Regency Orange County. The reception featured inspiring remarks from WELL UnTapped Fellowship graduates, Gustavo Camacho, Mayor Pro Tem of Pico Rivera, and Igor Tregub, Councilmember of Berkeley. Dr. Samuel Solis, Professor at UC Davis and WELL’s Policy and Curriculum Advisor, also previewed the findings of the upcoming WELL and UC Davis-Water Lab study on the California water sector.
Saturday was led by Teresa Acosta, Councilmember of Carlsbad and Fellow of the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Winter Class of 2025, who served as the day’s MC. The conference opened with a powerful keynote from Anthony Rendon, California Assembly Speaker Emeritus, who shared his personal connection to water and emphasized the importance of understanding California’s water landscape.
Attendees then participated in three insightful panels focused on water infrastructure and the impacts of recent firestorms in Los Angeles County. Jennifer Santana, Director at the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District and a WELL UnTapped Fellowship graduate, led a memorable pinning ceremony for the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Classes of Summer 2024 and Winter 2025. The ceremony officially welcomed the new Fellows into the WELL UnTapped Network (WUN), bringing the total number of graduates to 106. Dr. Samuel Solis also shared key insights from the WELL and UC Davis-Water Lab study on the California water sector, highlighting the underrepresentation of diverse voices on water district governing boards.
The conference concluded with a cherished WELL tradition—coming together in a moment of unity to sing “De Colores.”
