Investing in Water is Investing in California by Ernie Avila, P.E. Jun 26, 2026 Voices on Water Water is more than a resource — it is the foundation upon which California’s future will be built. No one knows this more than ACWA members. Every major challenge facing our state, from housing affordability and economic growth to food security and wildfire resilience, depends on reliable water supplies and modern water infrastructure. When California invests in water, it invests in statewide solutions. That reality is at the heart of ACWA’s Vision for Our Water Future initiative. Over the past several months, ACWA members and coalition partners from across California have come together around a simple but powerful idea: a strong water future is essential to a strong California future. As we look ahead to the 2026 gubernatorial election, with Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra advancing, we know when our next governor prioritizes a reliable water supply and infrastructure, they unlock the solutions to our state’s most pressing challenges. The Vision for Our Water Future initiative was designed specifically for this moment. It provides a clear, actionable framework for the next administration to strengthen water reliability for communities and agriculture, modernize infrastructure, support environmental stewardship and ensure affordability for the people and businesses that depend on California’s water system every day. It is not a wish list. It is a roadmap built on decades of experience and the collective expertise of water leaders throughout the state. ACWA has spent the past few months engaging with gubernatorial candidates and their teams, introducing them to the Vision and reinforcing the importance of water as a cornerstone issue for California’s future prosperity. These conversations have highlighted a growing recognition that water is not a standalone policy issue, it is interconnected with nearly every priority the next governor hopes to achieve. What makes water such a powerful issue is its ability to transcend political divides. Every Californian depends on safe, reliable and affordable water. Every community benefits from resilient infrastructure. Every business and industry relies on a dependable water supply to succeed. Water is California’s ultimate unifier. In the months ahead, ACWA will continue working to ensure that water remains front and center in the gubernatorial conversation. We are grateful for the growing number of ACWA members, organizations and coalition partners that have joined this effort and helped amplify the Vision’s message. Together, we have an opportunity to help shape the future of California. By advancing a shared vision for water, we can provide the next governor with the tools, partnerships and policy framework needed to secure a more resilient, prosperous and sustainable future for generations to come.
