Vision for Our Water Future <span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> Welcome to the Vision for Our Water Future, an initiative to elevate water as a top priority for California’s next governor, legislative leadership, and state officials. This initiative outlines a clear, solutions-focused framework to secure a resilient and reliable water system that meets the needs of California’s economy, communities and environment. It is backed by the members of the largest statewide coalition of public water agencies in the nation. Read the full Vision policy framework here. Reinforcing the timing of the Vision initiative, a new statewide survey conducted by the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) and FM3 Research found strong, broad-based and bipartisan support for prioritizing and addressing California’s water issues. For Members: Download the member toolkit (including a sample resolution or letter of support) to help amplify Vision for Our Water Future here. ACWA encourages members to sign up for a members-only webinar being held Aug. 13, 1-2 p.m. Attendees will hear an overview of the polling results from FM3 Research, get an update on the initiative and learn how to best use toolkit items to help amplify the Vision with candidates, media and locally. Register here. The webinar will be recorded. For Vision Partners (non-members): Download the Vision Partner toolkit (for non-members) to help amplify Vision for Our Water Future here. Both ACWA Members and Vision Partners can submit case studies to support the Vision recommendations here. (Case studies will not be shared externally without permission.) Partners To join as a Vision Partner, please submit a resolution or letter of support along with your logo. Non-ACWA members can fill out this form to join in support. Vision in the News Smart Water Magazine: California voters rank water among top priorities for next governor (July 14, 2026) Politico: Is it time to talk about water yet? (July 7, 2026) Capitol Weekly Podcast: California’s water future: Chelsea Haines (June 29, 2026) KCCA Water Zone by Toro Podcast: June 25th Episode (June 25, 2026) Resources and Events UPCOMING WEBINAR: ACWA encourages members to sign up for a members-only webinar being held Aug. 13, 1-2 p.m. Attendees will hear an overview of the polling results from FM3 Research, get an update on the initiative and learn how to best use toolkit items to help amplify the Vision with candidates, media and locally. Register at https://www.acwa.com/events. The webinar will be recorded. NEWS RELEASE: Poll Shows Nearly 8 in 10 California Voters Want a Governor Who Prioritizes Water (Jul 9) VOICES ON WATER COLUMN: Investing in Water is Investing in California (Jun 26) ACWA ADVISORY: Vision for Our Water Future Gains Momentum Ahead of November Election (Jun 4) Vision for Our Water Future Video RECORDED Webinar – Vision for Our Water Future Briefing: ACWA hosted a members-only webinar to better understand how your agency can help support and amplify this initiative using the member toolkit. (Recording available). NEWS RELEASE: ACWA Launches Vision for Our Water Future to Advance Statewide Water Solutions and Leadership (April 20) ACWA Member Toolkit (April 15) ACWA ADVISORY: ACWA Board Adopts Vision Recommendations; Rollout Coming Soon (March 20) ACWA Region Briefings on New ACWA Initiative (Completed) Regions 1 & 5: Feb. 9, 2:30 – 4 p.m. Regions 6 & 7: Feb. 10, 1:30 – 3 p.m. Regions 2, 3 & 4: Feb. 17, 2:30 – 4 p.m. Regions 8, 9 & 10: Feb. 18, 1:30 – 3 p.m. WATER NEWS STORY: ACWA Announces Vision for Our Water Future Policy Initiative (February 2) ACWA ADVISORY: ACWA Announces New Vision for Our Water Future Policy Initiative (January 30) Working Groups Specialized working groups are meeting bi-weekly on a recurring schedule through fall 2026 to inform the development of detailed recommendations that advance the Vision framework. These working groups are open to all ACWA members and Vision coalition partners. Protect Affordability Working Group Deliver Critical Infrastructure Working Group Modernize Water Management Working Group If you would like to join one or more of the working groups, please email Stephen Pang at StephenP@acwa.com. You can view the draft recommendations here. Meeting Materials are available here. Background ACWA has launched a new policy initiative to actively elevate water-related priorities with California’s gubernatorial candidates, legislative leadership and administration officials in advance of a new governor taking office in 2027. The Vision for Our Water Future initiative will focus on integrating members’ unified priorities into campaign platforms and further establishing the association as a leading voice in shaping California’s water future. These priorities will be an alignment of ACWA strategic priorities and region and committee workplans. In support of the initiative, ACWA’s Board of Directors approved funding for an outside consultant to support staff’s efforts at its January Board Meeting. At its March Board Meeting, the ACWA Board of Directors approved the policy document. On March 20, ACWA’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the Vision for Our Water Future policy recommendations and backed it with resources necessary to support its success. Timeline Sep 2025 – Mar 2026: Vision development & early engagement Apr – May 2026: Vision rollout Jun – Oct 2026: Amplification & sustained effort Nov – Dec 2026: Post-election transition & implementation For questions regarding Vision for Our Water Future, please contact ACWA Regulatory Relations Director Chelsea Haines at (916) 669-2431.
