WEFTEC is the best 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. 24-28. Below is a list of “can’t miss” events for Tuesday, Sept. 27:
Utility Leaders Morning
This breakfast discussion will feature a dialogue with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, along with insights from water leaders from around the world. The program will also include a special ceremony to honor the 61 inaugural recipients of the Utility of the Future Today Recognition Program. Great Hall A, 8:00–10:00 a.m. CDT
Urban Resiliency: Are You Ready?
A half dozen leaders from around the country will discuss their approaches and best practices for mitigating common challenges associated with increasingly severe and frequent wet weather events. Room 242, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CDT
Operations Challenge – Day Two
You don’t want to miss the fun-filled, fast-paced action of day two as more than 40 teams compete in five timed events that test specific abilities needed for operations maintenance and control. Will the defending champs, the TRA CReWSers, keep their title for another year or will a new team take top honors? Stop by and find out! Hall F, 9:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CDT
U.S. Department of Energy Wastewater Accelerator
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reps will explain how the agency aims to improve energy efficiency at water resource recovery facilities by 30 percent through its Better Buildings Wastewater Infrastructure Accelerator Initiative. WEF and the DOE recently announced a new memorandum of understanding in support of this initiative. Innovation Pavilion Booth 3129, 12:30 p.m. CDT
Sustainable Beer Smackdown 2016 – A Taste of Innovation
The popular Sustainable Beer Smackdown returns this year at the WEFTEC Innovation Pavilion! First up for the thirsty crowd will be a brief overview of the Water Reuse Roadmap Primer, a new set of guidelines from WEF, the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation, the National Water Research Institute and the WateReuse Association to help water leaders find new ways to reuse water. What better way to reuse water than to make beer with it?! On tap this year are several varieties from Clean Water Services/Oregon Brew Crew’s Pure Water Brew, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District’s Activated Sludge, The WateReuse Association/Special Hoperations’ New Water Brew and CDM Smith/Water Replenishment District of Southern California’s Fat Californian DPR IPA. Stop by for a taste of innovation! Innovation Pavilion Booth 3129, 4:00 p.m. CDT
WEF Awards and Presidential Celebration
The WEF Awards honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the water environment profession, WEF, and its Member Associations. 2015-16 WEF President Paul Bowen will also pass the gavel of leadership to 2016-17 WEF President Rick Warner. Great Hall B, 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. CDT
