One of our most popular events, our annual Water 101 Workshop detailed the history, geography, legal and political facets of water in California as well as hot topics of the moment.

Taught by some of the leading policy and legal experts in California, the one-day workshop on April 8 gave attendees a deeper understanding of the state’s most precious natural resource.

The workshop, held at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, was beneficial to water resource industry staff, engineering and environmental firm personnel, city council members, county supervisors, legislators, legislative staff, press, advocates, attorneys, environmentalists, public interest organizations, water district directors and others.

Optional Groundwater Tour

Attendees had the option to hit the road with us a day early on Thursday, April 7, for a journey around the Sacramento region to explore groundwater, a key resource in California. Led by Foundation staff and groundwater experts, the tour visited cities and farms using groundwater, examined a subsidence measuring station, provided the latest updates on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and more.

What attendees saaid about our Water 101 Workshop:

“Great workshop. Loved it! Learned a lot and I feel inspired.”

“Outstanding in all aspects. Great job done by everyone.”

“You folks put on phenomenal events: Well thought-out agenda, logical order, fantastic speakers, and ample breaks/networking opportunities.”

Educational Sessions During the Workshop Included:

• History and geography of California water
• Water rights
• The big water projects, including State Water Project and Central Valley Project
• Groundwater use and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
• The legal and institutional management framework
• Water use and demand
• Water bills in the Legislature

Groundwater Tour Topics Included:

• Subsidence
• Surface and groundwater management
• Sustainable Groundwater Management Act implementation
• Groundwater recharge
• Groundwater pollution

Location:

The April 8 workshop was held inside the Lecture Hall at McGeorge School of Law, 3327 5th Ave., Sacramento, CA, 95817

The optional one-day groundwater tour on April 7 departed from and returned to the McGeorge School of Law campus. Check-in will began at 7:30 a.m. with departure at 8:00 a.m. and arrived back to campus no later than 6:30 p.m.

Nearby Hotels:

Courtyard Marriott

Hotel Med Park

Pricing Details:

April 8 Workshop Only: $259 and included refreshments, lunch and materials.

April 8 Workshop and April 7 Groundwater Tour: $485 and included refreshments, lunch and materials during both the workshop and the tour.

Please note: Participants could only attend the tour as part of registration for the workshop the following day.

A limited amount of scholarship funding was available to pay for a portion of the April 8 workshop. Scholarships were awarded based on a few factors, including:

• Financial need
• Reason for scholarship request
• How the education and experience will be used after the event

COVID-19 Protocols:

The Foundation continues to monitor developments with COVID-19 and anticipates low levels of infection rates by the event date based on current projections.

Precautions will be implemented during the event including enhanced sanitation protocols, a mask requirement aboard the motorcoach and encouraged mask use within indoor spaces, and a modified agenda/itinerary to maximize the use of outdoor/open-air space when possible.

Despite these mitigating circumstances, an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any place where people gather. All participants should consider their personal choices around harm reduction and risk tolerance in the face of current variants and the likelihood of additional variants emerging in the future.

Acceptance of an assumption of risk waiver is required during registration.

We ask participants not to attend if, within 72 hours of the event date, they have experienced symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., a fever of 100.4F or higher, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking muscle pain/achiness, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, nasal congestion, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue or any other symptoms associated with COVID-19 identified by the CDC).

Regardless of vaccination status, participants must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of the event date IF they have tested positive or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within 5 days of the event date.

Cancellation & Refund Policy:

Deadline to cancel and receive a refund was three weeks prior to the date of the event due to vendor commitments. Substitutions were allowed up to five business days before the event. Eventbrite fees are nonrefundable and the remaining amount may be subject to an additional processing fee.

We recognize that unexpected conflicts with our events and tours can occur from time to time. The Water Education Foundation recommends you consider arranging travel insurance from a provider of your choice soon after registration to protect against such unfortunate events.

Continuing Education Credits:

Continuing education credits were available for California attorneys for an additional fee, and was potentially available for water plant/wastewater plant operators and other vocations/professions.