A Rare and Unforgettable Experience
The award-winning Citizens Water Academy takes participants on an interactive journey to explore how the regional water supply system is built for resiliency in uncertain times. Through special access tours, discussions and presentations, class members go behind the scenes with water planners, managers, and engineers for an inside look at the water delivery system.
Nominations and applications for the fall 2026 Citizens Water Academy class will open in July 2026. Interest List, Application, and Nomination Forms are at the bottom of this page.
Connecting and Educating Civic Leaders
The Citizens Water Academy brings together a diverse network of emerging leaders and professionals from across the region to gain a deeper understanding of the Water Authority’s life-sustaining mission.
Since the Citizens Water Academy launched in Fall 2014, more than 1,000 civic leaders have participated and become water knowledge ambassadors.
The Basics
The Citizens Water Academy is divided into three sessions, each scheduled to avoid conflicts with regular work hours. Participants must attend all sessions and the facilities tour to complete the program.
Participants are selected through a competitive application process. Please only apply if you intend to attend all three sessions.
There is no charge to attend, but there may be a reportable value due to food, beverages, and other items provided to participants. For questions, please email wateracademy@sdcwa.org.
Fall 2026 Schedule
Session 1 – Wednesday lunch hour, September 30 via Zoom. Welcome and overview by the General Manager’s office.
Session 2 – Thursday evening, October 1. Dinner, presentations, and activities. Topic: planning for a water-resilient future.
Session 3 – Saturday, October 3, half-day. Breakfast and lunch, and behind-the-scenes tours of the Water Authority’s Operations Center and Olivenhain Dam and Pump Station.
“What a fabulous Academy this was. I greatly appreciate all the consideration and care that was put into this program to not only make the experience informative but also enjoyable.”
–CWA Summer 2023 graduate
Nominations are closed for the season. Please check back in July 2026.