Bob Crossen is senior managing editor for WWD. Crossen can be reached at [email protected].
undefinedFor the first time since before the coronavirus pandemic, American Water Works Association Annual Convention & Exposition (ACE) will be a fully in-person experience. AWWA ACE22 will gather drinking water professionals from around the world in San Antonio, Texas from June 12 to June 15, 2022.
AWWA ACE22 follows in the footsteps of its previous events with 16 educational tracks of more than 80 educational sessions with 26 of them streaming live online for those who cannot make it to the event in person. The exhibit floor will feature more than 400 solutions providers across the country to show off their latest technologies, advancements and innovations to the wider water world.
For those with a competitive edge, AWWA ACE22 is also bringing back crowd favorite competition such as Pipe Tapping, and for those looking to connect with other professionals, AWWA has set up a handful of networking events and opportunities throughout the multi-day event. Additionally, there is an innovation hub for start-ups and new businesses looking to bring their solutions to the market.
Below follows the schedule of events and times along with some WWD-selected sessions of interest. All times are Central time, which is local to San Antonio. All session information has been taken from the AWWA ACE22 Professional Program online at bit.ly/ace22program.
ACE22 Education & Exhibit Hall Times
Registration is open from 7 :30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
Sunday, June 12
Pre-conference Workshops | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Public Officials Programming: Introduction to Water & Sewer Operating Environments | 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, June 13
Opening General Session | 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Exhibit Hall Opens | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Educational Session | 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Public Officials Programming: Water & Sewer Infrastructure, Operations & Maintenance | 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, June 14
Educational Sessions | 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Open | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Public Officials Programming: Water Resources Planning - Consider Water Quality & Quantity | 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, June 15
Educational Sessions | 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Open | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Presidential Gavel Passing | 4:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
AWWA ACE22 Wrap Party | 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
WWD Editor-Selected Sessions
Monday, June 13
Fireside Chat with EPA | 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
With an interactive audience discussion moderated by AWWA’s CEO, David LaFrance, this in-depth discussion will cover EPA’s perspective a variety of relevant water sector topics, including the latest news on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. You will not want to miss this opportunity for discourse with EPA Assistant Administrator, Radhika Fox (invited), and the chance to have your questions addressed.
PFAS: Beyond Treatment | 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
While treatment remains at the core of the PFAS issue, there are many other aspects to this complex problem that inform treatment decisions. This session addresses PFAS occurrence, regulation, planning, fate & transport, and management considerations, all of which are central to understanding the challenges posed by PFAS and potential solutions.
U.S. EPA Water Priorities | 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Directors of U.S. EPA’s drinking water and. wastewater management programs will outline current U.S. EPA policy priorities under the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act programs, and the Agency’s efforts to protect the nation’s water supply and suport investment in water infrastructure. This session features Jennifer McLain and Andrew Sawyers from the U.S. EPA as speakers.
The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act of 2021: A Sea of Change in Federal Investment in Water | 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Critical leaders in federal water infrastructure policy from Washington, D.C.,will discuss and answer questions on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that was signed into law last fall. This act will send significant levels of new federal funding to water infrastructure across the country.
Tuesday, June 14
Managing Lead & Copper Under the LCRR - Practical Solutions | 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
This STS presents an overview of the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) followed by focused presentations and case studies on key aspects of the new regulation, including lead service line (LSL) inventories, corrosion control treatment (CCT), and compliance sampling. The session will end with a Q&A session with industry experts.
Communications Challenges & Solutions in CCRs | 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The upcoming revisions to the Consumer Confidence Report Rule give an opportunity to think about how not only the CCR can be improved to better reach customers, but how it can fit into a larger set of communication goals. This session will tie together what is going on with CCRs, results from a recent public confidence survey as well as provide other key insights on how to improve communications plans.
Stimulating Transformative Change Through Diversity & Inclusion | 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Since 2020, the water industry and society have undergone unprecedented change both unintentional and intentional. Change itself, while uncomfortable is sometimes necessary. This session highlights practical tools for stimulating transformative change through Diversity and Inclusion in your organization. It will feature presentations from the winners of AWWA’s Diversity & Inclusion Awards alongside other speakers who will detail how their experiences in promoting the principles of Diversity and Inclusion at their organizations propelled positive change.
Wednesday, June 15
Impacts & Highlights of New & Revised AWWA Standards | 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
AWWA Standards Committees have competed several exciting updates to address industry needs and recognize new technologies. This session will highlight important new first edition standards and significant revisions to existing standards, explaining how to use them and the value of each standard, and the need they have addressed.
Non-Revenue Water Industry Trends & Updates | 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 pm.
Get the latest updates in the non-revenue water industry, including advances in water auditing, validation, regulations and policies, and data trends.
Expanding Your Toolbox - YPs Tackle Water Issues | 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
This session will showcase how young professionals (YPs) are leveraging the tools both in the office and in the field to evaluate and develop solutions to a variety of water supply and quality challenges. Presenters will share their knowledge and experiences gained from utilizing hydraulic modeling to tackle infrastructural, operational, and financial problems and running pilot studies for advanced treatment to help the attendees enhance their skillsets.
Networking Events
Monday, June 13
First Time Attendee Program | 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Student & Young Professionals Scavenger Hunt | 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, June 14
Technical Facility Tours (pre-registration required) | 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Water Industry Luncheon | 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Career Center & Job Education Fair | 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Networking Happy Hours | 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
International Reception at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk | 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Emerging Leaders Reception Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk | 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 15
Technical Facility Tours (pre-registration required) | 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Networking Event in Exhibit Hall | 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Competition Information
Monday, June 13
World Water Cup Competition Finals | 10:25 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Official AWWA Meter Challenge Competition | 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
World Water Cup Competition Awards Ceremony | 1:30 to 2 p.m.
Preliminaries for AWWA Pipe Tapping Competition | 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, June 14
Preliminaries for AWWA Pipe Tapping competition | 9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Preliminaries for AWWA Hydrant Hysteria competition | 11:30 to 2:45 p.m.
Preliminaries for AWWA Top Ops competition | 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Preliminaries for AWWA Pipe Tapping competition | 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Preliminaries for AWWA Hydrant Hysteria competition | 3:15 to 5 p.m.
Official Best of the Best Tap Water Taste Test | 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 15
Preliminaries for AWWA Top Ops competition | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Finals for AWWA Pipe Tapping competition | 10:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Finals for AWWA Hydrant Hysteria competition | 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Semi-final rounds for AWWA Top Ops competition | 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Final rounds for AWWA Top Ops competition | 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
