2017 Protecting Our Future Leading the Way for SoCal Water Security
SOU TH ER N C A L IF OR N I A W A T E R CO A L I TI ON
A Message From…
100,000 SOCIAL MEDIA
IMPRESSIONS
5,000 NEWS SUBSCRIBERS
182 MEMBERS
ABOUT SCWC
A report such as this one does at least two things: It gives us an opportunity to reflect on the passing year and an equal opportunity to look ahead to 2018 and what it might hold. Whatever the new year brings, however, know this: SCWC remains committed to fulfilling our mission of vigorously engaging on California’s most critical water challenges so that we may ensure a clean, reliable and affordable water supply for our region for generations to come. In many respects, 2017 was a pivotal year for California’s water future. Most notably, after years of review, the California WaterFix project took center stage as critical decision points loomed. This project speaks directly to the mission we set out to achieve in 1984. We recognized the challenges back then; they are no less daunting today. And we were determined to tackle them head-on. This past summer we launched an innovative outreach and education program, SCWC’s most significant and comprehensive campaign to date. Water agencies, business, labor, agriculture and environmental stakeholders all joined us in disrupting the status quo, educating and mobilizing decision-makers and stakeholders to ensure that Southern California’s voice is heard loud and clear. The overall scope of our work over the past year was broad and deep. Our aim was to highlight our role as a prominent voice for water policy in the region. Within a three-month period, we released both a rigorous study by U.C. Berkeley Professor, David L. Sunding, on the unintended consequences of nearly two decades of California water cuts caused by environmental regulation and a public opinion poll of Southern California voters gauging awareness and support for California WaterFix. We still have work to do, but the project has significant support among Southern Californians due in large part to our efforts. Each year, SCWC grows, evolves and modernizes in order to keep pace with the rapidly shifting world of California water. In January 2018, SCWC will refresh by transitioning its name to the Southern California Water Coalition. This change reflects our organization’s capacity and best positions us to maximize the influence of our diverse and expansive membership base. Finally, I’d like to extend a special thank you to our task force chairs, executive committee, board of trustees and participating members for their expertise, counsel and time. The growth and success we saw in 2017 would not have been possible without your invaluable leadership. Thank you for the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and respected organization. I look forward to another exciting and successful year ahead.
755 STAKEHOLDERS AT EVENTS
Sincerely,
Charley Wilson Executive Director
A Driver For Change
ABOUT SCWC
For more than three decades, SCWC has united a broad and diverse membership spanning sector and geography on behalf of our common fundamental need – Southern California water. SCWC has motivated action and driven consensus around our region’s water supply, from conservation as a way of life to new supply development to California WaterFix, since 1984. SCWC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, our nearly 200 members represent all sectors including water, agriculture, business and government, and encompasses all of Southern California – from Kern and Ventura down to San Diego and Imperial counties.
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CITIES
13 20
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4
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NONPROFIT
S C W C
MEMBERS
DEPTS.
I S S U E TAS K F O R C E S
N U M B E R S
52 7 WATER
AGENCIES
AGRICULTURE MEMBERS
86
BUSINESS MEMBERS
WA T E R + S O U T H E R N C A L I F O R N I A
SCWC contributes ideas, resources and viable strategies to statewide issues
LEGISLATIVE
WATER QUALITY
22 M RESIDENTS
PUBLIC EDUCATION
BAY DELTA
COLORADO RIVER
WATER ENERGY EFFICIENCY
$15 B FARM REVENUE
STORMWATER
700 K MANUFACTURING JOBS
34 MAJOR CITIES
(100,000+ POPULATION)
WaterNext: Mobilizing & Modernizing SCWC was founded to educate and engage Southern Californians with regional and statewide water supply challenges and solutions. To that end, in August 2017, SCWC launched WaterNext, an integrated outreach and communications program to inform and mobilize stakeholders throughout the region on the California WaterFix Project. The WaterNext campaign blends innovative creative content with paid social media to reach people in a new way. Using videos, graphics and direct outreach SCWC is energizing, engaging and mobilizing target audiences to stand up and make their voice heard where it counts. As California approaches significant decision points on the California WaterFix project, SCWC continues to drive more Southern California voices to the table than ever before – we’re dedicated to moving the needle on this critical infrastructure project.
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Education & Advocacy
The Reality of Cutting Supply
Education & Advocacy
SCWC, in partnership with the Committee for Delta Reliability, commissioned a report by acclaimed U.C. Berkeley Professor and Department of Agricultural & Resources Chair, David L. Sunding to expose the unintended consequences of nearly two decades of California water cuts caused by environmental regulation. The report, released publicly in April, showed the hardest hit are those who rely on agriculture to survive, such as farmworkers, food processors, truck drivers and warehouse workers, among many others.
Impacts of water cuts in California since 2000: Key Findings Farmworker wages are an unforeseen casualty of water cuts – workers have already lost $900 million in wages since 2000 and are poised to lose $4 billion in wages over the span of three decades.
Californians growing our nation’s food supply are expected to lose more than 21,000 jobs every year over the course of 30 years – with more than 11,000 being farmworker jobs.
Consumers are also losing out as California’s fertile heartland continues to shrink and threaten the future of the Golden State’s food supply – 55,000 acres of farmland have been fallowed each year since 2000.
California is losing an average of 1.3 million acre-feet of water each year – enough water to sustain more than 10 million Southern California residents for a full year or irrigate 400,000 acres of farmland.
Leading the Conversation
Workshops & Events
Southern California Water Coalition provides forums for stakeholders, civic leaders, elected officials, businesses, water agencies, trade associations and environmental leaders to gain insight, foster collaboration and ignite solutions on challenging water issues.
ANNUAL MEETING AND DINNER SCWC’s flagship event, the Annual Dinner, hosts more than 300 stakeholders and elected officials from throughout the region. In November, SCWC welcomed California Natural Resources Agency Secretary, John Laird, as keynote speaker. SCWC also honored Secretary Laird with the organization’s Harriett Wieder Water Leadership Award for his dedication in addressing California’s most pressing water issues.
QUARTERLY LUNCHEONS SCWC’s Quarterly Luncheons bring together the region’s top industry leaders to both provide SCWC members with expert commentary and analysis of our state’s evolving water challenges and offer noteworthy networking opportunities. Each Quarterly Luncheon boasted relevant and inspirational speakers and panelists providing invaluable insight and perspective on current water issues.
Q1 January marked SCWC’s first Quarterly Luncheon of the year. Keynote speaker, Wade Crowfoot, CEO of The Water Foundation, led a discussion on balancing the needs of people, California’s farmland and the environment as we prepare for an unpredictable water future. Held at the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, attendees also had the opportunity to tour IEUA’s new, advanced energy storage systems, launched in partnership with Advanced Microgrid Solutions (AMS) in October 2016. IEUA’s efforts will better integrate renewable power, reduce demand on the electric grid and lower costs.
Q2 SCWC’s second Quarterly Luncheon, “Across The Finish Line: How Communications Can Get You There,” featured a panel of communication professionals, specializing in the intricacies of California water. Moderated by esteemed political strategist, Dan Schnur, panelists discussed how to “cut through the clutter” and leverage communications strategies to reach the right audiences and meet objectives. Panelists included, Eric Bergh (Calleguas Municipal Water District), Fiona Hutton (Fiona Hutton & Associates) and Lana Haddad (Long Beach Water Department).
Q3 SCWC’s third Quarterly Luncheon hosted an informative and engaging panel discussing the importance of California WaterFix. Industry experts highlighted the need for a modernized delivery system to ensure that high-quality water will continue to be delivered to Southern California for generations to come. Panelists included General Manager Jeffery Kightlinger (Metropolitan Water District), Paul Cook (Irvine Ranch Water District) and Paul Jones (Eastern Municipal Water District).
Providing Perspective
Workshops & Events
STORMWATER WORKSHOP
WATER ENERGY WORKSHOP
SCWC’s Annual Stormwater Workshop creates a forum for cities, water agencies, regulators and regional leaders to discuss the potential of stormwater capture projects and integrated regional water management to expand local water supplies and help reduce reliance on imported water during the state’s boom or bust drought cycles.
Although water and energy historically go hand-inhand, before SCWC there was no regional forum to address the two issues concurrently. SCWC has filled that gap with its new Water Energy Task Force formed last June. SCWC had a full house at its 2nd Annual Water Energy Workshop on June 27, 2017, ”It’s All About Synergy”.
The October 11 th workshop, hosted by the Metropolitan Water District, attracted more than 100 guests and featured presentations on innovative local projects, diverse in scope, geography and budget. TreePeople President, Andy Lipkis, served as keynote speaker, discussing the importance of integrated management to our region. Other presentations included, Miluska Propersi (Metropolitan Water District) and Henry Graumlich (Calleguas Municipal Water District).
Moderated by Executive Director, Charley Wilson, panelists and keynote speaker, Dr. David Sunding, dove into how they are reinventing, leveraging partnerships and looking ahead. The workshop provided a full afternoon of panelists including, Kevin Shost (Smart Energy Water), David Jacot (LADWP), Charlotte Ely (State Water Resources Control Board), Fiona Sanchez (Irvine Ranch Water District), Andrew Kanzler (City of Anaheim), Ryan Bullard (Southern California Edison), Carlo Gavina (SoCal Gas), Rob Whipple (Western Municipal Water District & California Water Efficiency Partnership), David Feldman (UC Irvine) and Dennis Wilberg (City of Mission Viejo).
Governor Jerry Brown with MWD Board Chair Randy Record SCWC Board Member Stacy Roscoe speaking at Annual Dinner
Executive Director Charley Wilson speaking to Metropolitan Water District Board
Labor organizations show their support for CA WaterFix at MWD Board Meeting
Executive Director Charley Wilson presenting Secretary John Laird with the Harriett Wieder Leadership Award
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