AWWA Focuses on Sustainability at ACE10

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) hosted its Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE) June 20-24 at McCormick Place Convention Center, West Building in Chicago. ACE10’s exhibitors and speakers spotlighted the convention of sustainability and efficiency in the water industry with a program chock-full of innovative products and solutions.

Dennis Hayes, national coordinator for the first Earth Day in 1970, presented during the Opening General Session with a talk on the major environmental challenges the world faces today and stressed the message of a more sustainable earth. Hayes spoke to the necessity of environmental advocates and water managers finding common ground. He pointed to AWWA as being “a true beacon of sustainability.”

ACE10’s professional program was home to more than 100 half-day sessions, with track topics including: distribution, plant operations and maintenance; engineering, design and construction; government affairs; international issues; regulatory trends; Midwestern regional topics; water conservation; water quality; water resources/reuse; and many others. Attendees could also earn CEUs and PDHs through technical sessions in the professional program tracks.

Eight exhibiting companies were highlighted in the New Product Technology Showcase. Out of nearly 250 applicants, these companies’ products were selected as the most innovative of the year. The winning companies were: ADS; ICS, Blount Inc.; Industrial Test Systems, Inc.; McGard, Inc.; Oasis Filter International Ltd.; Sigelock Systems; SolarBee, Inc.; and Technical Associates.

Popular at ACE for the sixth year, 16 municipalities competed in the “Best of the Best” Water Taste Test. Wisconsin’s Stevens Point Water Department claimed the title based on their water’s taste and odor.
The conference featured 533 exhibitors and more than 12,000 attendees interested in a sustainable, efficient and cost-saving future for the water and energy sector. Eight weeks following ACE10, attendees and exhibitors will receive a DVD with most of the speaker presentations during the professional sessions.
ACE11 will be held in Washington, D.C. June 12 through 16. AWWA is accepting exhibitor registrations and paper abstracts for next year’s conference.

Be sure to visit the Trenchless Technology website at www.trenchlesstechnology.com for exclusive video interviews of some of award winners at the show.