An Exciting Spring Conference Looks Toward the Future

  • by Pamela Tobin
  • May 20, 2022
  • Voices on Water

ACWA’s 2022 Spring Conference & Exhibition stood out as memorable and rewarding for many reasons. 

ACWA staff organized a diverse collection of programs with expert speakers exploring the latest developments on state and federal water policy with recurring themes of drought response, climate change and innovation. We also highlighted diversity, equity and inclusion and informed members about critical funding opportunities, among other topics. 

All of this took place within a newly formatted conference that expanded time for networking and provided more opportunities for attendees to connect with one another. If you attended the Women in Water reception than you know the popularity of that event has outgrown its format. Stay tuned for a new set-up next conference.

I was especially proud to be able to introduce the membership to ongoing efforts to create a new nonprofit ACWA Foundation devoted to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion within California’s water community, while also launching a statewide public education campaign – Quench California – aimed at increasing awareness of investment in water infrastructure. Both express ACWA’s commitment to building a better future, not only for the water community, but for California as a whole.

The ACWA Foundation will create a leadership role for ACWA in fulfilling one of our society’s most pressing needs. Conceptually, it would provide a structure for ACWA to pursue research, education and training by investing in the next generation of water leaders through scholarships supported with tax-deductible, external financial contributions. It could also be a catalyst for leadership training, coaching and mentorships. 

ACWA is working to create another kind of catalyst through Quench California. This campaign will leverage that underlying public support for a solution that opens the best possible path toward generational climate resiliency. I urge you to visit www.QuenchCA.com to learn more. The campaign will also include opportunities for ACWA member agencies to customize and utilize the campaign locally, which will go far in amplifying its message throughout the state.

I am very proud of what we have set out to accomplish during spring conference. More than 1,400 members of the water community joined us in Sacramento for a fully in-person conference. It was an emotional, joyful and immensely gratifying experience to reconnect personally with so many of our colleagues in one place, at one time. I especially want to thank our 36 sponsors, 62 exhibitors and ACWA staff for helping make this successful conference possible.

If you attended, please take the time to reply to an emailed post-conference survey. No matter how well we’ve done, we can always do better and we’d love to hear your feedback on the new features. 

If you could not make it to conference this time, we have plenty of ACWA events lined up for the rest of the year. This includes the ACWA DC 2022 Conference in July and numerous Region Events throughout the year, with the ACWA Fall Conference & Exhibition wrapping up 2022 in Indian Wells. 

So, stay in touch, and stay involved! .

Suggested Resources

15 RESOURCES prev next
Draft Extended Arrearage Program Guidelines – Comment Letter

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject:Comment Letter – Draft Extended Arrearage Program Guidelines Letter excerpt: The Association of California Water […]

Request to Veto AB 249 (Holden)

To: The Honorable Gavin Newsom Subject: AB 249 (Holden) – REQUEST FOR VETO Letter excerpt: The Association of California Water […]

Priority Issues Bulletin

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Draft Fiscal Year 2023-24 Fund Expenditure Plan for the SADW Fund

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Comment Letter – Draft Fiscal Year 2023-24 Fund Expenditure Plan for the Safe and […]

Federal Legislative Matrix

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Joint Comment Letter on Direct Potable Reuse Regulations

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Direct Potable Reuse Regulations (SBDDW-23-001) Letter excerpt: The increasing volatility of climate change across […]

2023 Water Professionals Appreciation Week

California’s Water Professionals Appreciation Week will kick off Oct. 7, highlighting the important role of water industry professionals and local […]

Federal Regulatory Issues Chart

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Regulatory Roundup

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Making Conservation a California Way of Life Call to Action

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Making Conservation a Way of Life Regulation

ACWA’s Making Conservation a California Way of Life Fact Sheet provides a summary of the State Water Board’s draft regulatory […]

Comments on Distributed Electricity Backup Assets Program

Agency: California Energy Commission Subject: Association of California Water Agencies’ Comments on Distributed Electricity Backup Assets Program Draft Guidelines and […]

Draft 2023-24 Fund Expenditure Plan for the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Comment Letter – Draft Fiscal Year 2023-24 Fund Expenditure Plan for the Safe […]

State Water Board Water Use Objective Exploration Tool

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject: State Water Board Water Use Objective Exploration Tool Letter excerpt: With the State […]

Petition to the California Fish and Game Commission for a Regulation Change Regarding the Striped Bass Slot Limit

Agency: California Fish and Game Commission Subject: Petition to the California Fish and Game Commission for a Regulation Change Regarding the […]

Suggested News

15 Articles prev next
ACWA Statement on the Passing of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein

SACRAMENTO – Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) released the following statement today on the passing of longtime U.S. Sen. […]

Roseville Gets $8 Million Grant for Two New Groundwater Wells

In a proactive move to address the challenges posed by climate change and to align with statewide water management objectives, […]

Roseville’s Utility Exploration Center Undergoing Full Exhibit Revamp

The revamped learning center will continue to inspire change and environmental stewardship in the world of utilities  After years of […]

EMWD Highlights Future-Focused Investments During State of The District

PERRIS — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) hosted its State of the District event today, providing its key stakeholders with […]

Water Industry Careers Highlighted by Student Write Off Contest Winners

PERRIS — Eastern Municipal Water District has announced the winners for its annual Write Off contest, in which area students […]

State Water Contractors and Coalition Issue Support Letter for the VAs

SACRAMENTO – The State Water Contractors and the below water agencies and organizations issued a letter in support of the Voluntary Agreements […]

Nation’s Largest Statewide Public Water Agency Coalition Elects Leadership for 2024-‘25

SACRAMENTO – The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today announced the results of an election for its top leadership, […]

ACWA Board Officers’ Election and Region Election Results Announced for the 2024-’25 Term

ACWA members have elected Cathy Green as President and Ernesto “Ernie” Avila as Vice President for the 2024-’25 term. The […]

EPA Announces Availability of $20 Million in Grants to Create Water Career Opportunities

WASHINGTON D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of over $20 million in grant funding […]

State Delivers $55 Million to Sacramento Water Agencies to Support Water Resilience

SACRAMENTO – To help combat climate change and drought impacts on regional water supplies, the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) […]

MSWD Receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

Mission Springs Water District is pleased to announce that the Government Finance Officers Association has awarded the District a Distinguished […]

Westlands Water District Clears Key Milestone Toward Groundwater Recharge Goal

FRESNO – Westlands Water District (District) has surpassed the halfway point towards it recharge goals recharging 127,000 acre feet (af) […]

DWR Releases Draft Water Plan Update 2023

SACRAMENTO — From severe, multi-year droughts to sudden flooding, California is experiencing the impacts of the intensifying climate crisis. To […]

Agencies Can Apply Now for Funding Through State Instream Flow Water Purchase Program

SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) are accepting applications for the […]

Local Water Agencies Awarded Efficiency Funding

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY – Stockton East Water District, North San Joaquin Water Conservation District, and South San Joaquin Irrigation District […]