WEFTEC is a place for water professionals to learn, connect and explore new ways to create the future of water. More than 20,000 water professionals and 1,000 water companies will attend the Water Environment Federation (WEF)’s 89th annual technical exhibition and conference at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, Sept. 24 to 28. Below is a list of “can’t miss” events for Monday, Sept. 26.
AAEES/AIDIS/WEF Breakfast
Celebrating environmental scientists and engineers in the industry, this year’s keynote presentation will be given by James R. Mihelcic, professor and the Samuel L. and Julia M. Flom endowed chair in civil & environmental engineering at the University of South Florida. As an international expert for incorporating principles of sustainable development into engineering education, research and practice, Mihelcic will take the audience on a trip around the world telling stories and demonstrating how water quality professionals work with local households and communities to develop sustainable infrastructures that provide clean water, improved sanitation and hygiene. Ticketed event: $37/person.
Room 260, 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. CDT
The Opening General Session: Creating the Future of Water
WEFTEC officially kicks off on a forward-looking note as Joe Whitworth, president of the Freshwater Trust, will discuss conservation tools that connect technology to finance. He will also share insights from his book, “Quantified: Redefining Conservation for the Next Economy.” The Honorable Mitch Landrieu, Mayor of New Orleans is expected to deliver the welcome remarks and 2015 to 2016 WEF President Paul Bowen will announce the launch of a new social media campaign. This event will be streamed live via www.weftec.org. No badge required.
Great Hall A, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. CDT
100 Great Water Cities: Creating the Future of Water
A panel of global water authorities will discuss their approaches to leadership in the face of changing economic conditions, increased regulations and a changing climate. The Honorable Joel Beauvais, deputy assistant administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will provide the session keynote address. Cedric S. Grant, deputy mayor and executive director of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, will then moderate a panel discussion of distinguished water professionals, including George Hawkins, CEO of DC Water; Raveen Jaduram, chief executive of Watercare Services Limited; Heiner Markhoff, CEO of GE Power and Water’s Water and Process Technologies; and Peter Ng, chief executive of the Singapore Public Utility Board. The dialogue will include organizational culture, strategic communication and communication for a more resilient future. This session is part of an ongoing series of dialogues designed to bring water leaders together to address common challenges and concerns. This session will be streamed live via www.weftec.org. No badge required.
Great Hall A, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT
Session 101 – 20th Annual WEF/AEESP Lecture: Maximizing Process Intensification and Minimizing Resource Use
Sudhir Murthy, innovations chief at DC Water, will share his thoughts on the new trend of process intensification and resource recovery from the research perspective, immediately followed by Glen Daigger from the University of Michigan, who will present the academic perspective.
Room 253, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT
AEESP/WEF Scientists’ Luncheon: From Treatment to Resource
Bruce Rittmann from Arizona State University will join fellow researchers and utilities to network and share ideas about the shift from waste disposal and treatment toward full resource recovery. Ticketed event: $40/person.
Room 260, 12 to 1:30 p.m. CDT
Stormwater Congress Luncheon – From “Broken” to Benchmark: Stormwater, CSOs and Climate Resilience in Detroit
Palencia Mobley, deputy director and chief engineer of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s green infrastructure and MS4 program, will discuss the city’s programs and challenges in the context of the city’s emergence from emergency management, new leadership under Mayor Duggan, separation from Great Lakes Water Authority, and need to manage neighborhood flooding and revitalization needs, and climate change issues. Ticketed event: $20/person.
Room 276, 12 to 1:15 p.m. CDT
LIFT: Game On! LIFT Passport to Innovation
The LIFT Passport to Innovation is a way to guide attendees to new technologies of interest, including advancements in nutrient removal and recovery, energy savings and generation, water reuse and more. The session will include an overview of several LIFT innovation tools and programs, including LIFT Link and the recently announced utility travel scholarship program.
Innovation Pavilion, 12 to 12:30 p.m. CDT
Workforce Development for Green Infrastructure
Part of the Stormwater Congress, this series of sessions will focus on green infrastructure as an economic engine, using examples in California, Ohio and southeast Louisiana. Speakers include Mike Adamow of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; Cynthia Jacobsen of T&M Associates; and Andrea Chen of Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation, a New Orleans-based business incubator and accelerator.
Room 342, 1:30 to 3 p.m. CDT
Operations Challenge
Some of the most elite operators in the country go head-to-head in the first day of this fast-paced, skills-based competition for wastewater and maintenance professionals. Teams compete in five timed events that test specific abilities.
Hall F, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT
Bioterrorism: Emerging Issues on Bio-Contaminated Wastewater
What would happen if a dangerous virus entered a water resource recovery facility? The reality is it could happen at any time, through an attack or human error. Six speakers, including experts from the National Homeland Security Research Center, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Utilities and Research Institutes, share their thoughts and experiences.
Room 357, 1:30 to 5 p.m. CDT
The Croc Tank and The BREW Tank: Water Startups Pitch to our Experts
Modeled after TV’s Shark Tank, award-winning startups pitch their ideas to water sector experts, including investors, advisors, industrial and municipal customers. The National Science Foundation sponsors the Croc Tank, Innovation Pavilion, Booth 3129, 1 to 2 p.m. CDT, and the Water Council sponsors the BREW Tank, Innovation Pavilion, Booth 3129, 4 to 5 p.m. CDT.
For the latest conference information and registration details, visit www.weftec.org. For the full program and latest updates, download the WEFTEC MobileApp.
Source: Water Environment Federation
