It is a bummer that we can’t all visit and network in person at this year’s WEFTEC conference, which was slated to be in New Orleans this month. But the fine folks at the Water Environment Federation have put together a stellar list of educational sessions for those who registered.
It was hard to pick from this lineup, but here are five sessions you should virtually attend. All times EASTERN. A full list of sessions can be found here.
The Future of Water Policy
Monday, Oct. 5
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Federal agencies’ water leaders will be available in this technical session to discuss the future of water policy and key initiatives being planned and implemented. The U.S. EPA Office of Water Headquarters senior staff will discuss national water program policies and initiatives in the current Administration. Topics include the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs), WIFIA, WOTUS, PFAS, reused water, stormwater, water sector workforce issues and regulatory reform initiatives and other topics and EPA activities. COVID-19 and its impact in the implementation of water regulations and policy will also be addressed as well as what may be ahead.
Fate of COVID-19 in Water and Wastewater Systems and Implications
Tuesday, Oct. 6
11 a.m. - noon
Another “ask the experts” technical session brings on the chance to discuss implications of using wastewater for tracking COVID-19 infection rates and discuss the fate of COVID-19 causing virus within water resource recovery facilities and drinking water treatment plants. Presenters will include Professor Francis De Los Reyes from North Carolina State University, and Dan Gerrity from Southern Nevada Water Authority. Updates will be provided on an NSF funded project seeking to monitor wastewater from four U.S. cities for indicators of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The research could provide early warning of outbreaks and enable better resource allocation to affected areas. Dr. Gerrity will also provide insight into SNWA research that is measuring the presence of the virus in untreated sewage wastewater and collecting data along with other researchers across the country.
Networking Roundtable: Learning from the Pandemic - How to Prepare for the Next Disruption
Tuesday, Oct. 6
4 - 5 p.m.
Make sure you are one of the first 50 to add this to your WEFTEC Connect schedule. Come to this networking roundtable to share your ideas on what you learned from this year to help you be ready for the next thing that comes our way, or hear from others to spur your positive thinking. If you can’t make this, check out the Oct. 7 technical session from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. called Knowledge Development Forum: Utility Leadership Opportunities and Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Experiences
Not Just Blowing Hot Air: Aeration Design and Optimization
Wednesday, Oct. 7
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Believe it or not, this conference isn’t just about COVID-19. There are many great technical sessions about water and wastewater in general, including this one on aeration. The topics covered will include demonstration of magnetic bearing turbo blowers, determining the required operating window for new blowers, demonstration of a new blower control strategy, comparison of control valves, and introduction of a new cleaning technique for fine-pore diffusers.
Digital Solutions for Collection Systems
Thursday, Oct. 8
11 a.m. - noon
Make sure you’ve got questions dialed up in the online chat for this one. Experts will present how utilities across the world are using data management and artificial intelligence to monitor, optimize, and control the performance of their water and wastewater collection systems. This presentation features experts in digital solutions that will expand your knowledge on how utilities are substantially reducing their capital and operational costs.
BONUS SESSION: WEFTEC Wish List - What Do You Want to See Moving Forward?
Friday, Oct. 9
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Be one of the first 50 to register and add this to your WEFTEC Connect schedule. This is the place to discuss what you liked about the virtual event, what you missed about the in-person event and more.
