The California Water Association (CWA) recently hosted a two-part California Water 101 webcast series, designed to provide legislative staff, policymakers, and interested stakeholders with a comprehensive introduction to California’s regulated water systems.
These sessions offered valuable insights into the complexities of water management, regulatory frameworks, and pressing issues that impact the delivery of safe, affordable, and reliable water to communities across the state.
We are pleased to share that recordings of both sessions are now available on demand for those who were unable to attend or wish to revisit the material.
Session 1: Understanding California’s Water Systems
February 20, 2025
The first session offered an in-depth overview of California’s diverse water supply and system infrastructure, as well as the regulatory landscape that governs investor-owned water utilities.
Topics covered included:
- An introduction to regulated water utilities and the role of the California Water Association.
- A detailed overview of California’s water supply and distribution systems, including ongoing conservation and efficiency efforts to ensure long-term water reliability.
- A discussion of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) rate-setting process, outlining how rates are established to balance the needs of customers and utilities, while supporting critical infrastructure investments.
Session 2: Water Quality and Hot Topics in Water
February 28, 2025
The second session focused on key water quality and regulatory issues, including affordability and emerging contaminants, that are central to water service delivery in California.
Topics covered included:
Water Quality Overview:
- An examination of how water utilities test, treat, and monitor drinking water to meet stringent state and federal standards.
- An overview of State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) regulations and compliance obligations.
- A discussion of emerging contaminants, such as PFAS, and the steps utilities are taking to address these concerns.
Important Topics in Water Management:
- Permitting processes and the challenges faced by water utilities in developing and maintaining infrastructure.
- Addressing affordability and disconnections, including how utilities work to balance financial sustainability with customer protections and equitable access to water service.
California’s regulated water utilities play a critical role in delivering safe, affordable, high-quality, and reliable water to millions of residents and businesses throughout the state. Understanding how these systems operate, and the regulatory frameworks that guide them, is essential for informed policy development and community engagement. Thank you to all of those who attended! We look forward to hosting more Water 101 series in the future.
