2026 Water Resiliency Summit

Photo of LA's urban landscape featuring a palm tree-lined road leading toward the city skyline and under a partly cloudy sky during sunset.
2026 Water Resiliency Summit

2026 WATER
RESILIENCY SUMMIT

Los Angeles County Public Works Headquarters
Monday, May 18, 2026 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

ANNUAL SUMMIT

Thank you for joining us at the third annual Water Resiliency Summit, presented by LA County Supervisor, 3rd District, Lindsey P. Horvath. This year’s summit features regional, state, and local water leaders on the progress toward implementing the County Water Plan, strengthening collaboration, and advancing a sustainable and resilient water future for our region.

SPEAKERS

Lindsey P. Horvath

LA County Supervisor (3rd District)

Mark Pestrella

Director of Los Angeles County Public Works

Karla Nemeth

Director, California Department of Water Resources

Adán Ortega, Jr.

Chair of the Board, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Dave Pedersen

General Manager, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District

Cheree Peterson

Deputy Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Eileen Alduenda

Executive Director, Council for Watershed Health

Charley Wilson

Executive Director, Southern California Water Coalition

Carolina Hernandez

Assistant Deputy Director, Los Angeles County Public Works

Diana Tang

Assistant General Manager, Long Beach Utilities (Facilitator)

Nurit Katz

Board Vice President, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

2026 PROGRAM

Explore the program details below for the event schedule. The 2026 Water Resiliency Summit Program is also available for download.
Download Program

Networking Breakfast

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Opening Remarks from Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Panel Discussion I: Water Resiliency for the Climate Ahead

Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors – 3rd District (Facilitator)

Karla Nemeth, Director, California Department of Water Resources

Adán Ortega, Jr., Chair of the Board, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Nurit Katz, Board Vice President, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

Cheree Peterson, Deputy Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

9:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Break

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM

Update on LA County Water Plan & Water for LA

Mark Pestrella, Director, Los Angeles County Public Works

Charley Wilson, Executive Director, Southern California Water Coalition

10:45 AM – 11:05 AM

Panel Discussion II: Safe, Clean, Reliable Water for All: New Tools & Approaches

Diana Tang, Assistant General Manager, Long Beach Utilities (Facilitator)

Dave Pedersen, General Manager, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District

Eileen Alduenda, Executive Director, Council for Watershed Health

Carolina Hernandez, Assistant Deputy Director, LA County Public Works

11:05 AM – 12:20 PM

Closing Remarks

12:20 PM

THE YEAR IN ACTION:
2025 WATER PLAN PROGRESS

In its second year of implementation, the County Water Plan turned shared goals into measurable progress. Through the work of four dedicated Task Forces, regional partners are building a more resilient and equitable water future — together.

Download 2025 Highlights