New ACWA Intiative Will Amplify Members’ Voice and Vision by Marwan Khalifa Feb 13, 2026 Voices on Water California voters will hear a lot from candidates vying to replace Gavin Newsom for governor between now and Nov. 3. So far, the candidates are focusing on housing, affordability, jobs and the economy, and ACWA is launching the Vision for Our Water Future initiative to ensure they also start talking about water. To make sure we get that point across, ACWA is reaching out directly to the candidates to elevate water as a top policy priority and ensure the unified priorities of ACWA’s diverse membership are reflected in the next administration’s agenda. Through this work, ACWA is positioning itself as a trusted thought leader and essential partner to the future governor. Having worked at the agency level and now within ACWA itself, seeing this potentially historic effort take shape counts as one of the most exciting periods in my career in California water. This is yet another example of ACWA manifesting itself as a world-class organization, capable of seizing an opportunity and guiding the state toward an inflection point in water policy. And it is another, among many examples, of our association’s ability to channel the energy of our members into outcomes that will benefit every Californian. ACWA is implementing this initiative through a structured, member-driven process that brings together staff, member agencies and key partners. The initiative will culminate in a concise policy document outlining a focused set of strategic priorities and recommended actions to support a secure, reliable and resilient water future for California. Demonstrating our expertise can reflect and strengthen the trust placed in us as stewards of our state’s most precious resource. This policy document will do that by building on a long history of ACWA leadership through policy documents such as “No Time to Waste: Blueprint for California Water” (2005) and our “Statewide Water Action Plan” (2013). The input for building this initiative started coming together during several opportunities last year. This included a member survey that provided feedback on advocacy priorities and a roundtable discussion at fall conference That development process continues through regional member briefing sessions, region board meetings and committee meetings. These virtual sessions provide another opportunity to refine this critical policy document. As California enters this pivotal election cycle, ACWA’s role is clear: to ensure water is treated as a priority issue and recognized as the foundation for the state’s economic vitality, environmental stewardship and quality of life.
