𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽. 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Southern California Water Coalition is proud to welcome Rick Caruso, Founder and Executive Chairman of Caruso, as our featured keynote speaker at the Southern California Water Coalition’s 2026 Annual Meeting & Dinner! Caruso will sit down with SCWC Executive Director Charley Wilson for a special fireside chat, “California at a Crossroads: Leadership, Change, and the Courage to Get Things Done.” Join us as we bring together leaders from across California to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and celebrate the people working to build a more resilient future for our state. 📅 Thursday, November 19, 2026 📍 Balboa Bay Resort | Newport Beach

Read the declaration and learn more: socalwater.org/waterurgencyd…

Read our blogpost here: socalwater.org/broad-coaliti…

𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 A Unified Voice for California’s Water Future More than 70 organizations and diverse interests came together for SCWC’s October 9 Water Urgency Roundtable with one shared message: California must act with urgency to secure its water future. With 60% of Southern California’s water resources facing uncertainty, collaboration and investment in reliable infrastructure are more important than ever. The result? A unified Water Urgency Declaration, signed by all attendees, outlining a shared vision for California’s water priorities through 2075.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻? | 𝗡𝗮𝗽𝗮 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆, 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮 The conversations are continuing in Napa Valley, and Mother Nature even decided to contribute a little water of her own! ☔️ Day two of the New California Coalition’s Fall Investor Convening brought a deeper focus on one of the most important pieces of advancing meaningful policy solutions: communication, education, and advocacy. For SCWC Executive Director Charley Wilson, the message is simple: Educate to advocate. How do we reach more people, build awareness, and turn important conversations into action? By engaging with legislators, connecting with communities, sharing information, and making sure more Californians understand what’s at stake. From discussions on Sacramento’s policy priorities to conversations about reaching and engaging new audiences, the focus remains on building relationships and strengthening the collective voice behind California’s most pressing challenges. As we look toward 2027, we’re excited to continue growing our coalition, expanding awareness, and bringing more voices to the table. There’s strength in numbers, and we hope you’ll be part of the conversation as we work toward real solutions for California! #cawater

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗜𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻? | 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘆’𝘀 𝗘𝘆𝗲𝘀 A little rain, a lot of conversation, and even a few unexpected visitors in Napa Valley! (Check our story to see the special visitor) 👀 🦃 Day two of the New California Coalition’s Fall Investor Convening gave Charley a firsthand look at conversations surrounding California’s policy priorities, legislative engagement, and the importance of reaching more people with the issues that matter most. The big takeaway? Educate to advocate. Building awareness, strengthening relationships, and bringing new voices into the conversation are essential to moving California forward. Your look at day two through Charley’s eyes!

𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀: 𝗦𝗖𝗪𝗖 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 We’re excited to announce Rick Caruso, Founder and Executive Chairman of Caruso, as the keynote speaker for the Southern California Water Coalition’s 2026 Annual Meeting & Dinner! One of California’s most influential business and civic leaders, Caruso will join SCWC Executive Director Charley Wilson for a special fireside chat exploring “California at a Crossroads: Leadership, Change, and the Courage to Get Things Done.” From bold leadership to tackling California’s biggest challenges, this conversation promises fresh perspectives on what it takes to turn ideas into action and move our state forward. 📅 Thursday, November 19, 2026 📍 Balboa Bay Resort | Newport Beach, CA Now in our fourth year at Balboa Bay Resort, we look forward to bringing together leaders from across California’s water community, government, business, labor, agriculture, and environmental sectors for an evening of meaningful connections, important conversations, and celebration.

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁. 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲. California’s water future demands more than the same old debates. It demands real solutions, measurable results and a commitment to protecting both our environment and the millions of people who depend on a reliable water supply. In a new guest commentary for Maven’s Notebook, Southern California Water Coalition Executive Director and CEO Charley Wilson makes the case for moving forward with the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, also known as the Voluntary Agreements. The message is clear: Healthy rivers and reliable water supplies are not competing priorities. California needs both. By combining habitat restoration, science-based decision-making, adaptive management and enforceable commitments, we have an opportunity to deliver meaningful environmental improvements while protecting water reliability and affordability. But getting it right matters just as much as moving forward. As California approaches a critical decision on the future of the Bay-Delta, Charley reminds us that success must be measured by outcomes, not simply regulatory compliance. Healthier rivers. Recovering fish populations. Reliable water for California communities. The time to act is now.

💧 This week in California water: ✅ 57 California dams are rated in poor or unsatisfactory condition ✅ California’s next governor faces big decisions on water reliability and investment ✅ The original Healthy Rivers and Landscapes seeks solutions for both rivers and reliable water supplies Three stories. One takeaway: California’s water future is being decided right now. #CaliforniaWater #WaterNews #WaterInfrastructure #WaterReliability #SCWC

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗜𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻? | 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘆’𝘀 𝗘𝘆𝗲𝘀 🚗 A little time stuck on the 405, but well worth the trip to Van Nuys! Charley spent the day at the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant, moderating conversations with water professionals who know firsthand what it takes to get major infrastructure projects across the finish line. What made the day valuable? Hearing the successes, the setbacks and the lessons learned from agencies tackling some of Southern California’s most ambitious water projects. For Charley, the biggest takeaway was the willingness to have honest conversations about what needs to change. Better contracting approaches, smarter investments and fewer obstacles to getting projects done. Because California doesn’t just need more water solutions. We need to get better at delivering them.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗜𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻? 🚗 Stuck on the 405! But when it comes to California’s water future, we can’t afford to be stuck in traffic. This week, SCWC Executive Director Charley Wilson headed to the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant in Van Nuys to moderate Knowledge Share Workshop #3: Lessons Learned on Progressive Design-Build. The workshop brought together water agencies and industry experts to share real-world experiences from six major water infrastructure projects across Southern California. The focus? Finding smarter, faster and more cost-effective ways to deliver the water projects our communities need. From contracting strategies and cost constraints to permitting challenges and project delivery, participants explored what worked, what didn’t and what we can do differently moving forward. The takeaway is simple: We don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but we do have to learn from one another. By sharing lessons, embracing innovative approaches and making informed decisions, we can move critical water infrastructure projects forward with greater efficiency and certainty. A big thank you to Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, LA Sanitation & Environment and Jacobs for bringing everyone together for these important conversations! Educate. Advocate. Collaborate. Deliver.

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 | 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝘂𝗺𝗽 California’s water future demands more than conversation. It demands collaboration, shared priorities, and a commitment to action. On October 9, Southern California Water Coalition convened leaders from across California’s water community at LA County Public Works for our 2026 Water Urgency Roundtable, bringing together voices from business, agriculture, labor, energy, technology, academia, government, and advocacy. Together, participants tackled some of the state’s most pressing water challenges, from infrastructure investment and water affordability to regulatory innovation, diversified supplies, and climate resilience. But this wasn’t just about identifying challenges. It was about building consensus around solutions. A defining moment of the gathering was the Water Urgency Declaration, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing California’s water priorities through coordinated messaging, meaningful partnerships, and collective action. As California looks toward 2075, the work we do together today will help determine the strength and resilience of our water future. Thank you to Mark Pestrella and LA County Public Works for hosting, and to every leader who brought their perspective, expertise, and commitment to the table. The urgency is real. The commitment is shared. Now, it’s time to turn priorities into progress. #CaliforniaWater #SCWC #WaterUrgency #WaterInfrastructure #WaterResilience

𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀. 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲. California’s water challenges don’t exist in isolation, and neither should the conversations about solving them. Last Friday, Southern California Water Coalition brought together leaders from business, agriculture, labor, energy, technology, academia, government, and more for our California Water Urgency Roundtable. The goal? Move beyond individual priorities and identify opportunities for collective action on water supply, affordability, infrastructure investment, regulatory innovation, and resilience. A special thank you to SCWC Board Member Dawn Taffler of Jacobs for sharing her perspective and capturing the spirit of the day. Her reflections highlight what makes our Coalition special: bringing diverse voices and perspectives together to advance a stronger, more resilient water future. We also extend our appreciation to Mark Pestrella and LA County Public Works for hosting this important gathering. The challenges are interconnected. Our solutions must be, too. 📸 Dawn Taffler

💧 This week in California water: ✅ New report finds Californians pay some of the nation’s highest water bills ✅ CMUA says water affordability requires statewide solutions ✅ Rare Kelvin wave highlights sea-level rise risks to the Delta and State Water Project Three stories. One takeaway: The cost of water isn't just what shows up on a monthly bill. Investing in reliable infrastructure today can help avoid much bigger costs tomorrow. #CaliforniaWater #WaterNews #WaterInfrastructure #WaterAffordability #ClimateResilience #StateWaterProject #SCWC