ACWA Fall Conference Set for Dec. 2-5 in Long Beach

Local Water Officials to Get the Latest on Drought, Ongoing Water Challenges

| Source: Association of California Water Agencies Association of California Water Agencies

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - November 13, 2008) - With a statewide drought and court-ordered cuts in supplies as a backdrop, local water managers from throughout California will converge next month at the Association of California Water Agencies' 2008 Fall Conference & Exhibition, Dec. 2-5 at the Long Beach Convention Center. The event, themed "Shaping a Sustainable Future," will examine water supply conditions, what's in store for 2009 and the need for a more sustainable water system.

The event takes place as California water agencies brace for water supply shortfalls in 2009. The Department of Water Resources announced Oct. 30 that the State Water Project may deliver just 15% of requested supplies next year to more than 25 million people in Southern California, the Bay Area, the Central Valley and the Central Coast. The forecast is the second-lowest on record and stems from drought and restrictions on Delta operations to protect a threatened fish species.

Two of the state's top water officials, Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman and DWR Director Lester Snow, will provide the latest on drought and other challenges during a luncheon program on Thursday, Dec. 4. Other program highlights include: 

Wednesday, Dec. 3:
-- "Water: A Global Priority, a Global Challenge," featuring an overview
   by National Geographic magazine Executive Editor Dennis Dimick and a
   panel of experts, 8:30 a.m.
-- "The Change Election: A Historic Time in America," MSNBC political
   commentator Rachel Maddow, noon.
-- "The Peripheral Canal: A Change Debate, or Same-Old, Same-Old?"
   10-1:50 a.m.
-- "Comparing Futures for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta," 2:30-3:45 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 4:
-- "Water and Fire: Drought Management in the Golden State," noon.
-- "Challenges of Water Recycling in an Era of Drought and Climate Change,"
   2:30-3:45 p.m.
-- "Is it Time to Mandate Water Conservation?" 2:30-3:45 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 5:
-- Water insiders offer their take on what's in store in Washington, D.C.
   8:30-10 a.m.

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 450 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.

Contact Information: Contact: Jennifer Persike ACWA Director of Strategic Coordination and Public Affairs 916/441-4545 916/296-3981 (cell)