SACRAMENTO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/20/12 -- New leaders, technology and innovation are pushing California into an era of change that will shape water management for decades to come. More than 1,600 local and state water leaders will discuss California's water future Dec. 4-7 during the Association of California Water Agencies' 2012 Fall Conference & Exhibition, themed "California Water ... The Next Generation," at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego.

Water policy expert Sunne Wright McPeak, president of the Delta Vision Foundation, will discuss emerging consensus on Delta water projects and opportunities for breakthroughs on California water, during a lunch keynote Wednesday, Dec. 5. Other programs that day include a 10 a.m. panel discussion of new water leaders who are helming key state agencies, such as the Department of Fish and Game, the Department of Water Resources, and the Delta Stewardship Council; as well as a look ahead at the future of California's expansive water delivery system, in a 1:30 p.m. session called "State Water Project: The Next 50 Years."

On Thursday, Dec. 6, in a lunch keynote, FBI Special Agent in Charge Herbert Brown will talk about cyber-crime, chemical security and other threats to water systems -- and how a unique alliance is protecting the nation's critical infrastructure. Another 1:30 p.m. program, called "Delta Mitigation: At Whose Expense?" features an expert panel's look at local efforts to fix the Delta and the possible impacts. Other session topics that day include analyses of the Delta economy from two respected university scholars, state and federal water issues forums, local tap water campaigns, and much more.

At breakfast Friday, Dec. 7, Washington, D.C., insiders will share insights about the election's outcome, new players on the political scene and what it all means for California water.

WHAT: ACWA's 2012 Fall Conference & Exhibition
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 4 - Friday, Dec. 7
WHERE: Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 440 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.