We’re excited to invite you to submit your proposals for technical sessions and pre-conference workshops at CWEA’s Annual Conference 2026 (AC26)! This is a unique opportunity to share your knowledge, inspire your peers, and help shape the future of California’s wastewater and water environment profession. Important Dates Proposal Deadline: August 22, 2025 Notification of Acceptance:...

From the State Water Board… Wastewater Operator Certification Renewal applications are now available for electronic submittal through the State Water Board online Operator Certification Information System (OCIS) portal.  Please visit this link to create or access your OCIS account: Operator Certification Information System If you do not already have an OCIS account, you will need...

From the State Water Board The State Water Resources Control Board, the City of South Gate and other partners celebrated the completion of an innovative green infrastructure project that will divert and store stormwater under a former industrial site, improving water quality in the nearby Los Angeles River. The multi-benefit project, which will also spur...

Ready to share your expertise, ideas, or lessons learned? CWEA is now accepting presentation proposals for both of our 2026 conferences—and we’d love to hear from you, especially if you’re a first-time presenter. You don’t need to be a polished public speaker or have decades of experience to present at a water conference. What you...

At CWEA, our new Strategic Plan places growth at the center of our mission—growth of our community, our impact, and our collective expertise. We remain steadfast in our commitment to empowering, educating, and connecting water professionals to protect public health and the environment across California. This next chapter is shaped by a vision of a...

Proposal Deadline for Northern and Southern Safety Day – Monday, June 23 at 5:00 p.m. Northern and Southern Safety Days are premier events focussed on advancing workplace safety across California’s water environment sector. Join us in sharing your expertise with an audience of more than 400 industry professionals committed to creating safer, healthier work environments....

CWEA’s Collection System Maintenance (CSM) certification program has completed its revalidation—strengthening exam quality, modernizing standards, and ensuring alignment with the evolving demands of the profession. From July 2024 through June 2025, the revalidation was led by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) representing agencies and professionals from across California. The new Collection System Maintenance exam will launch...

For the last 25 years, PowerPoint has served as the main presentation tool, replacing outdated technologies such as 35mm slides and overhead projectors. What did presenters utilize prior to 35mm slides? In this CWEA History column, we explore the “Magic Lantern” or “Stereopticon,” along with glass slides, which were instrumental in showcasing presentations and preserving...

To quote his memorial, “Tom was a driving force at the California Water Environment Association.” In 1987, he served as president of the California Water Pollution Control Association, now known as CWEA. He was the first Asian American to hold the position of president at CWEA. According to his family, this was one of his...

The California Stockholm Junior Water Prize is sponsored by ARUP The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has announced the state winners of the prestigious Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP), and CWEA is proud to recognize California’s top young water scientists for 2025. First Place – CaliforniaAditya and Trisha ShivakumarThe Harker School, San JoseProject Title: HgMAP: Mapping...