Water “is probably one of the hottest topics and yet one of the least understood issues affecting Californians, now more than ever,” according to Chapman University Professor Lisa Sparks. On Sept. 15, Sparks – former dean of Chapman’s School of Communication – offered Chapman as a place to continue the sometimes contentious discussion about water supply in California. She organized the Water Abundance Conference at Chapman, hosting current and former water district board members, public officials and others.