What's New with WELL September - December:
- WELL 2025 Annual Conference: Hosted Friday, March 7 – Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Garden Grove. Register now for Early Bird pricing!
- Educate to Lead Applications Open: WELL’s newest leadership development program for mid-management leaders in the water and energy sectors is now accepting applications!
- Twelve Fellows to Embark on Water Education Journey, Joining the UnTapped Fellowship Cohort for Winter 2025! Eleven elected leaders from across California will begin the UnTapped Fellowship program in January.
- WELL Graduates Ninth Cohort of WELL UnTapped Fellowship Program! WELL hosted two more UnTapped Sessions and held its graduation in Sacramento for the ninth UnTapped Fellowship cohort.
- WELL UnTapped Network (WUN) Retreat Hosted in Burbank: Graduates of the WELL UnTapped Fellowship program gathered for the WUN Fall Retreat.
- WELL’s Impact: $15 Million PFAS Treatment Facility in Pico Rivera.
- WELLos Spotlight: As our WELLos continue their leadership roles and enact positive change in their communities, we continue to highlight their efforts to embody WELL’s mission.
- Partner Spotlight: Learn about new collaborations, major achievements, and the positive impact our partners are making in California and in the water sector.
- California Water News: Catch some of the latest noteworthy water news from October to December.
Newsletter Commentary
Dear Friends of WELL,
The recent election brings both opportunities and challenges for advancing environmental issues. New local leadership offers fresh perspectives, but shifts in federal water regulations, public lands management, and climate policy could affect progress toward water equity. WELL is committed to equipping local leaders to navigate these changes and advocate for equitable, community-centered solutions. Through partnerships with leaders statewide, we’re building a coalition of advocates ready to defend water equity and environmental justice.
Looking ahead, the WELL 2025 Annual Conference is set for Friday, March 7 – Saturday, March 8, 2025, bringing together local elected leaders from across the state in the city of Garden Grove. The conference offers a unique opportunity to deepen knowledge and skills for advocating for the environment. Attendees will explore the intersection of water, climate change, and community well-being, with interactive sessions designed to inspire informed decision-making and effective advocacy. In their participation, leaders will engage with experts, exchange ideas with peers, and strengthen their ability to drive meaningful environmental change.
With each new season, WELL continues to cultivate a pipeline of diverse leaders ready to advocate for water equity. Stay connected with us as we build momentum toward a more sustainable water future. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and peaceful holiday season!
¡Sí Se Puede!
Meet the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Program Winter Class of 2025!
After a competitive application process, we have selected 11 locally elected Latino leaders in California to embark on the UnTapped Fellowship program. This class comes from all areas of the state, yet they are united by their passion for water knowledge and the desire to effectively support their communities.
- Teresa Acosta, Councilmember, City of Carlsbad
- Alma Beltran, Mayor, City of Parlier
- Luz Gomez, Boardmember, East Bay Municipal Utility District
- Yovani Jimenez, Trustee, Kern Community College District
- Vianney Lopez, Supervisor, County of Ventura
- Ray Marquez, Councilmember, Chino Hills
- Jorge Marquez, Director, Three Valleys Municipal Water District
- Gary Mendez, Director, Central Basin Water District
- Mary Solorio, Councilmember, City of San Fernando
- Clint Weirick, Councilmember, City of Grover Beach
- Robert Ybarra, Director, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency
Over the next six months beginning in January, these Fellows will embark on their water education journey, learning how to best make an impact on California water policy while also addressing their individual community water challenges. The UnTapped program creates an opportunity for local leaders to engage with water issues by exploring California’s water history and governance, infrastructure, finance, and the impact of climate change on water supply and quality. This curriculum is taught through the lens of the human right to water, with eyes on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the water sector.
Join Us for the WELL 2025 Annual Conference: Early Bird Registration Now Open, Ends Soon!
We are excited to invite you to the 2025 Annual Conference, taking place from Friday, March 7 to Saturday, March 8, at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove. This in-person event will provide a unique opportunity to connect with fellow leaders, water experts, and policymakers to address the urgent water challenges facing California.
As the state grapples with extreme weather conditions that strain our water resources, this conference will explore solutions that elected officials can implement to support their communities. Key discussions will focus on practical strategies to navigate these challenges and ensure sustainable water management for all residents.
Take advantage of our early bird pricing and secure your spot today! We look forward to seeing you at this important event.
Applications Open - Educate to Lead!
The Educate to Lead Program, a collaboration between Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) and the California African American Water Education Foundation (CAAWEF), is a state-wide initiative designed for mid-level managers in California’s water and energy sectors. Focused on empowering women and BIPOC leaders, the program equips participants with the skills to drive positive change and advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in their organizations.
Participants engage in seven online and four in-person sessions, guided through a curriculum developed by industry experts on topics such as self-awareness, inclusive leadership, and innovation. This state-funded program is offered free of charge to participants. Additionally, scholarships are available to assist with travel costs for those in need. With a strong emphasis on DEI, the program also offers mentorship opportunities to support career growth and prepare leaders to address challenges like climate change and workforce diversity.
Educate to Lead Program Session Dates (All in-person sessions will take place in the Los Angeles / Orange County region):
- Session 1: In-person, Friday, March 14 – Sunday, March 16, 2025
- Session 2: Online, Wednesday, April 2, 2025
- Session 3: Online, Thursday, April 10, 2025
- Session 4: In-person, Friday, April 25 – Saturday, April 26, 2025
- Session 5: Online, Wednesday, April 30, 2025
- Session 6: Online, Wednesday, May 7, 2025
- Session 7: Online, Thursday, May 8, 2025
- Session 8: In-person, Friday, May 30, 2024 – Saturday, May 31, 2025
- Session 9: Online, Thursday, June 12, 2025
- Session 10: Online, Thursday, June 26, 2025
- Session 11: In-person, Friday, July 11 – Saturday, July 12, 2025
For questions, please contact Marissa@latinosforwater.org
WELL UnTapped Fellowship Summer Class of 2024 Hosts Fourth Session in Richmond
The WELL UnTapped Summer 2024 Fellows gathered in Richmond for a session focused on water management strategies and storage. Highlights included presentations on green infrastructure and insights on water workshops from Cheryl Sudduth, Director at West County Wastewater District and WELL UnTapped Class of 2020 Graduate, and an interview on climate adaptation with Dr. Laura Elisa Garza, Area Water Quality, Quantity, and Climate Change Advisor at the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, an extension of the UC system that “connects the power of UC research in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition and youth development with local communities.”
Fellows toured the North Richmond Shoreline Adaptation Project, the North Richmond Farm, and the Bay Model Visitor Center, deepening their understanding of local climate resilience and hydrology. The session concluded with an interview on water storage by Jennifer Clary and the WELL tradition of singing “De Colores.”
WELL UnTapped Fellowship Summer Class of 2024 Hosts Fifth Session in Sacramento
WELL celebrated the graduation of its ninth UnTapped Fellowship cohort on November 20, 2024, in Sacramento. The final session featured interviews with experts on the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, presentations on the California Tribal Water Perspective, and discussions on the State Water Project and Delta Conveyance Project. The graduation ceremony honored 10 locally elected officials for their dedication to advancing water policy and Latino leadership. Fellows were officially inducted into the WELL UnTapped Network (WUN), continuing their journey of learning and advocacy in California water policy.
WELL UnTapped Network (WUN) Fall Retreat 2024
WELL hosted the WELL UnTapped Network (WUN) retreat in Burbank in November for UnTapped Fellowship Graduates statewide. WUN provides UnTapped Fellowship graduates with ongoing opportunities to engage in learning and training focused on California water policy.
Day one featured discussions on local water challenges, an overview of the WELL Method of Inquiry, and a presentation on the Human Right to Water by Assemblymember-elect and UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2024, Celeste Rodriguez. The day also included WELL’s Groundwater Game and a celebratory dinner. On day two, participants toured the Los Angeles Cascades and Filtration Plant, learning about water transport in the Owens Valley. The retreat concluded with a discussion on water legislation by Metropolitan Water District Board Chair and Former WELL Advisory Boardmember, Adan Ortega Jr.
Once Fellows graduate from UnTapped, they are inducted into the WELL UnTapped Network (WUN), where they can continue engaging in learning and training opportunities about California water policy. Graduates of the WELL UnTapped Fellowship program are referred to as WELLos and, to date, WELL has graduated a total of 96 elected officials from throughout California.
WELL Credited for $15 Million Pico Rivera Facility to Combat ‘Forever Chemical’ to Ensure Safe, High-Quality Water
The dedication of Pico Rivera’s trailblazing $15 million Groundwater Treatment Project on Nov. 4 was hailed as a major milestone in the city’s commitment to water quality and public health for future generations.
This project went forward as a direct result of WELL’s ongoing involvement in educating California leaders about water issues. Veteran Pico Rivera Councilmember Gustavo Camacho, a graduate of the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Program in 2019, credited WELL for “enlightening us to better understand infrastructure and other issues so we could become better policymakers involving water in local government.” He stated that through WELL, “we came to understand how infrastructure works and how to get funding for improvements.”
“WELL brought me to a better understanding of water infrastructure in California and its connection with local government,” Gustavo said. He graduated from WELL’s second UnTapped cohort.
The new facility mitigates the risks of Per- and Poly- fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the local water supply. Also called “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down in the environment or the human body, PFAS are manmade substances often used to produce grease-proof, waterproof, nonstick or stain, and flame-resistant items. They have been linked to health
problems, including some cancers. Camacho observed that in Pico Rivera, revelations about PFAS produced “sudden community alarm that our water was contaminated even if it is still safe to drink.”
The Pico Rivera project involved the construction of advanced water treatment facilities featuring water treatment vessels designed to filter PFAS from groundwater using a specialized ion exchange process, thereby enhancing the safety and purity of city drinking water.
The councilmember said he also realized that “as elected officials, we can’t just depend on staff to go out and seek solutions and funding to build the necessary infrastructure.” Working with city staff and colleagues on the council, Camacho helped spearhead what he called “a proactive effort that took the forefront and moved the project forward as quickly as possible. We didn’t wait until others figured things out.”
Camacho indicated that there are general subjects with which local elected officials are familiar, such as public safety, economic development, and parks and recreation. He said that even after serving for 15 years on the council, “It is difficult for us to get a complete grasp of everything.” He indicated his belief that WELL let him better grasp the interplay of local and state agencies over water infrastructure, conservation, and reclamation: “When you have a better understanding you can better develop a plan to fund and build improvements.”
Pico Rivera obtained significant financial backing for the project through effective collaboration among local, state, and federal partners. It produced $5.8 million from the WaterReplenishment District of Southern California, $2.5 million from the U.S. House Appropriations Committee with sponsorship from Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), and $7 million from Pico Rivera Water Authority ratepayers.
Camacho’s city was one of the first to win a state permit for this kind of advanced treatment facility. He indicated that when the city was ready to proceed, the state had to catch up in issuing the permit.
WELLos Spotlight:
Dr. Sabrina Bow, Former Boardmember, Azusa Unified School District, Councilmember, City of Azusa, WELL UnTapped Fellowship Graduate, Class of 2023: Dr. Bow made history as the first Asian American elected to the City Council in the City of Azusa. She is also the first woman in 17 years to be elected to the Council.
Acquanetta Warren, Mayor, City of Fontana, and WELL UnTapped Fellowship Graduate, Class of 2018: Warren joined the United States Mayors Water Council (MWC) in San Diego, an organization dedicated to supporting local governments in delivering high-quality water resources efficiently and in cost-effective ways. The MWC serves as a vital forum for local leaders to exchange knowledge on water technology, management practices, operational strategies, and infrastructure financing.
Dr. Steve Gibson, Trustee, Pasadena Community College, WELL UnTapped Fellowship Graduate, Class of 2024: Dr. Steve Gibson has been appointed to the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) – Los Angeles Executive Board. Founded in 1992, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance is the first and only national organization of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) workers. Backed by the strong support of the AFL-CIO, APALA has more than 22 chapters and pre-chapters and a national office in Washington, DC.
Partners Spotlight:
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP): Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that the Eland Solar-plus-Storage Center will help the city reach 64% clean energy by 2025, marking a significant step toward a 100% clean energy future. The project’s 400 MW solar capacity and 1,200 MWh battery storage will power over 266,000 homes, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and save LADWP ratepayers millions over the 25-year contract term.
Click here to read the full press release: https://www.ladwpnews.com/ladwp-celebrates-clean-energy-milestone-at-the-eland-solar-plus-energy-storage-center/
San Jose Water District: San Jose Water’s new Emergency Water Distribution Unit (EWDU) enables rapid, equitable delivery of safe drinking water during emergencies, reducing reliance on bottled water and supporting sustainability and social justice goals.
Click here to read the full press release: https://waterfm.com/bottled-water-gets-the-boot-a-look-at-san-jose-waters-emergency-water-distribution-unit/
Inland Empire Utilities Agency: IEUA has been awarded $10.8 million to support resiliency efforts in the Chino Basin, enhancing water sustainability and regional climate adaptation.
Click here to read the full press release: https://www.ieua.org/ieua-awarded-10-8-million-to-fund-chino-basin-resiliency-efforts/
California Water News:
California Water News
Worried you may have missed some important recent water news? WELL has you covered! Here is a sample of noteworthy water news:
- Cal Matters: ‘Dirty Delta’: California’s largest estuary is in crisis. Is the state discriminating against people who fish there?
- LA Times: In the dust of the Coachella Valley, residents push for a park along the shrinking Salton Sea
- California Department of Water Resources: DWR Assists Underrepresented Communities & Tribes with Local Groundwater Improvements, Expands Support to Small Farmers