Water Leaders to Gather for "Game Changer" ACWA Fall Conference & Exhibition

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Nov 18, 2015) - From the latest on El Niño to mandatory conservation to new requirements for groundwater management, local water leaders will discuss the state's most pressing water issues at the Association of California Water Agencies' 2015 Fall Conference & Exhibition Dec. 1-4 at the Renaissance and Hyatt Regency in Indian Wells.

The conference, themed "2015: A Game Changer," is expected to draw more than 1,600 local, state and federal water managers for an array of programs, keynote addresses and panel discussions. Some of the topics explored include the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the State Water Resource Control Board's emergency water conservation mandate and water pricing in times of drought.

Keynote speakers include:

• Dr. Michael Dettinger, research hydrologist with U.S. Geological Survey National Research Program, sharing insights on whether California will experience a Godzilla of an El Niño this winter or be stymied by the warm weather "blob" off the West Coast that has kept storms at bay in recent years. Dettinger will speak at the conference opening breakfast Wednesday, Dec. 2.
• California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird providing an overview on the California Water Action Plan, the Brown Administration's comprehensive statewide water plan for a resilient water future. Laird will speak at the general luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 2.
• Former U.S. Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt offering his unique perspective on water issues and the environment during keynote remarks at lunch on Thursday, Dec. 3.
• State Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus discussing the state's water conservation regulations and whether they will continue in 2016. Marcus will speak during a town hall session Thursday, Dec. 3.

Conference program details are available here.

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 440 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.