From the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA)
California Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth has been selected to lead the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) as its next executive director, President Ernie Avila announced today.
Her selection follows a nationwide recruitment process and overwhelming support of the association’s Board of Directors. Effective Sept. 1, Nemeth will oversee staff of the nation’s largest statewide coalition of public water agencies. Based in Sacramento, ACWA represents approximately 470 members responsible for 90 percent of the water delivered to cities, farms
and businesses across California.
Nemeth will lead a staff of more than 40, including a Washington D.C.-based office, supporting state and federal advocacy, educational outreach and events. ACWA’s membership includes urban, rural and agricultural water suppliers of all sizes throughout California. She will lead ACWA as its first female executive director in the association’s 116-year history.
“Karla Nemeth brings deep expertise and a proven track record navigating California’s most complex water challenges,” said ACWA President Ernie Avila. “Her leadership will strengthen ACWA’s role as a leading voice and advocate for water agencies across the state.”
Nemeth has served as Department of Water Resources (DWR) director since her appointment by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2018 and was reappointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom the following year.
DWR manages and protects California’s water resources and supports the reliability of the state’s electrical grid. During her tenure, Nemeth led DWR’s efforts to adapt to more extreme weather driven by climate change, including investments in atmospheric and runoff forecasting, and aging and green infrastructure; better management of groundwater supplies; and programs to strengthen local water resilience.
In 2024, Newsom tasked her with implementation of key water projects to achieve his “Water Supply Strategy – Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future,” including modernizing California’s water conveyance infrastructure, executing agreements in support of the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, and stabilizing Colorado River supplies.
Prior to joining DWR, Nemeth worked at the California Natural Resources Agency as Gov. Brown’s deputy secretary and senior advisor for water policy. She also served as Bay Delta Conservation Plan project manager from 2009 to 2014.
Nemeth holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and Latin American studies from the University of California, San Diego, and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington.
PODCAST: The hard truth’s of California water
SoCal Water Coalition’s Executive Director Charley Wilson recently had the opportunity to sit down with Karla Nemeth, Director of the California Department of Water Resources, for an in-depth discussion about the challenges and realities facing our state’s water future. This 50-minute conversation offers unprecedented insights into the policy decisions and infrastructure needs that will shape California’s water security in the coming decades.
Director Nemeth provides a candid assessment of California’s water outlook, including the projected 9 million acre-feet shortage by 2040, shifting snowpack patterns, and the complex role of desalination in our water portfolio. Her perspective on underground storage, the Delta Conveyance Project, and the need for enhanced collaboration between local and state agencies offers valuable context for our coalition’s advocacy efforts.
The discussion touches on many issues directly relevant to our member agencies and the communities we serve. Director Nemeth’s emphasis on moving beyond traditional approaches and embracing innovative solutions aligns with many of the principles our coalition has long championed.
