Zlotnick ’86 Receives California Water Association Award

The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) presented its sixth annual Emissary Award to Greg Zlotnick ’86, a longtime water leader whose involvement with the association spans more than a decade.

ACWA President Paul Kelley, says, “Greg Zlotnick is in a class by himself when it comes to sustained involvement and dedication over the years. We owe a debt of gratitude to Greg for his years of leadership and his unwavering support for ACWA and its statewide interests.”

Zlotnick recalls that his involvement in the issues surrounding water management in California was somewhat catalyzed by his CSS honors thesis, “Rivers of Controversy: California Water Politics, A Primer.” He hit upon the topic with important political and social ramifications partially so he could do research at home in California during the long semester break. Initially, his campus mentors questioned the importance of the subject, although ironically the next few years found New England states engaged in their own water controversies involving the Connecticut River.

Zlotnick served over 10 years as an elected member of the Board of the Santa Clara Valley Water District, Silicon Valley’s water management agency. He is a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law, and a member of the California bar, chairs ACWA’s Groundwater Committee and will begin his 13th year on the ACWA Board of Directors in 2012. His long record of participation and leadership in ACWA also includes chairing the Water Management and Federal Affairs committese, and developing and implementing solutions to critical water management issues at the local, regional, statewide, and federal levels.

Most recently, Zlotnick led an effort by ACWA to produce a first-of-its kind policy document on groundwater management in California. Developed by a statewide task force over 18 months, “Sustainability from the Ground Up: Groundwater Management in California” provides an in-depth look at current groundwater management in California and recommendations to improve it throughout the state.