California is in the thick of yet another drought year with record low rainfall, reservoirs far below capacity, and wells literally drying up in communities in the state.
In this special three-part series, we will start by gaining an understanding of where California’s water comes from, what issues limit water supply, and how communities are planning for sustainable water to get through this year and into the future.
In part two, we will talk with water leaders from across the state about how water is used – from drinking water and irrigation to energy production and habitat protection.
In this last event of the series, we will get some answers to the question “how do we survive this and future droughts?” We will hear suggestions for what consumers can do at home to conserve water, as well as what agencies are doing to incentivize conservation throughout the communities they serve, and what innovative solutions are being developed.
Our Guest Speakers
Krista Guerrero is a Southern California native with over 17 years of experience in the drinking water industry. She holds a B.S. in Natural Resources from Cornell University and a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida. She began her career as a hydrogeologist for the South Florida Water Management District working on water use and conservation issues. She has worked on a range of issues including source water protection, stormwater management, water efficiency, water quality, and water resource management. Most recently, she was the program manager for the Long Beach Water Department’s award-winning Lawn to Garden program and a water resources manager focusing on long-term water reliability. She specializes in outdoor conservation and is currently the program manager for Metropolitan Water District’s turf replacement program.
Krista is also a long-time AWWEE member and volunteer. In addition to participating on this panel, she organized this event and will be serving as the moderator.
Tia Fleming is the Executive Director of External Affairs at the California Water Efficiency Partnership. She has more than a decade of experience working with environmental and water-focused non-profits and municipal organizations managing outreach, advocacy, facilitation, coalition development, and communications. She currently sits on the Board of Directors of Wild Climate, and Rogue Water Labs.
Cristina Ahmadpour is a consultancy executive specializing in emerging technologies and innovative best practices in the water sector. While most of her career has been working with utilities and technologists, Cristina has managed projects from inception to delivery that required collaboration with contractors, engineering consultants, treatment plant operators, manufacturer sales representatives, electric utility representatives, industry associations, etc. Through this experience, Cristina has developed a strong network of trusted relationships with varying stakeholders and has established a unique competency in the commercial, technical, and regulatory aspects of the industry.
Cristina is the President of Isle Inc. and serves as Managing Director of Isle’s Americas business. She leads a team that supports the most progressive water utilities in their interest to identify, evaluate, and engage best-available solutions that drive value to their services and business operations. Facilitating an assessment of needs and identifying solutions that respond to top priorities has been an integral part of how she works with water utility leaders today.
She graduated (summa cum laude) from Vermont Law School with a Masters in Environmental Law, emphasis in Energy, and received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration, Emphasis in Global Business Management from California State University.
Register for the Series
Registration is free for AWWEE members and up to two guests. Non-member registration is $20.
Registration includes all three parts of the series
Part 1: Where Our Water Comes From (August 17 at 12:30 p.m. Pacific)
Part 2: How California’s Water Supply is Used (Date and Time TBA)
THIS EVENT - Part 3: How Do We Survive This and Future Droughts? (September 16 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific)
Live attendance is not required - all registrants will receive a link to view the event recordings.