The 18th annual OC Water Summit, Flow Forward: Securing Water Supply Through Innovation, will explore the critical challenges, investments, technologies, and workforce strategies needed to strengthen water reliability and long-term regional resilience. Through engaging panel discussions and expert presentations, attendees will gain valuable perspectives on water supply, policy, infrastructure investment, workforce development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies shaping the industry.
Featured discussions will include:
Recalibrating the River: The Colorado River at a Crossroads
A timely look at the changing realities of the Colorado River and what they mean for the future of water supply.
- Charley Wilson (moderator), Executive Director/CEO, Southern California Water Coalition
- Dr. David L. Feldman, Professor Emeritus & Director, Water UCI
- Dr. Max Wilson, Water Resources Management Advisor, City of Phoenix
The Workforce Crisis No One Budgeted For: Why Talent Determines Water Reliability
An important conversation about the workforce challenges facing the water industry and why attracting, developing, and retaining talent is essential to reliability.
- Marwan Khalifa, Interim Executive Director, Association of California Water Agencies
- Amber Boone, General Manager, South Orange County Wastewater Authority
- Don Jones, Senior Waterworks Industry Education Partnerships Advisor
- Adrian Hightower, PhD, PE, ENV-SP, Strategic Sustainability Partnerships Program Manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
California’s Water Future: Where Should We Invest Next?
A forward-looking discussion on the investments and priorities that can deliver the greatest impact for California’s water future.
- Charley Wilson (moderator), Executive Director/CEO, Southern California Water Coalition
- Edward Ring, Director, Water and Energy Policy, California Policy Center
- Mark Gold, Director of California Ocean Ecosystem Monitoring Program, California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations, UC San Diego
When Digital Becomes Physical: Protecting Water in the Age of Cyber, AI & Drones
An exploration of how emerging technologies are transforming water operations—and the new security considerations that come with an increasingly connected water system.
- Kevin M. Morley, PhD, Senior Manager – Federal Relations, American Water Works Association
- Clara Chae, Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst, Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center
- Jay Bade, Cyber Intelligence Analyst, California Cybersecurity Integration Center/Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center
- Andrew Ohrt, Resilience Practice Area Lead, West Yost
- SA Ketrin Adam, InfraGard Los Angeles, Federal Bureau of Investigation
We hope you’ll join us for this important day of insight, collaboration, and connection as we work together to move Southern California’s water future forward.
* Speakers subject to change
Visit the OC Water Summit YouTube channel to view past programs.