The Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) 91st annual event Sept. 29 through Oct. 3 in New Orleans offers water quality education and training to professionals around the world. The expansive show floor provides cutting-edge technologies in the field as well as business opportunities and networking.
Last year’s attendance at WEFTEC in Chicago set a new record for WEF. There were more than 32,000 attendees and more than 1,640 exhibitors from more than 128 countries.
This year, events begin on Saturday, Sept. 29, with Jammin’4 Water at the Historic Carver Theater. Organized and hosted by Water Charities Fundraising, water quality professionals attending WEFTEC will perform an eclectic mix of musical entertainment.
Another event is the 11th Annual "Pedal with a Purpose," which involves a casual ride through the historical neighborhoods of New Orleans for a total of 25 miles. Proceeds from the ride support the nonprofit group, Water for People.
Other events and sessions include:
Opening General Session: Be a Hero. Water’s Worth It
This year’s opening general session will include a keynote from Kevin Brown, a motivational speaker and author of "The Hero Effect." His inspirational message will follow remarks from 2017-2018 WEF President Jenny Hartfelder and WEF Executive Director Eileen O’Neill. The keynote will also tie into the relaunch of WEF’s popular Water’s Worth It grassroots public awareness campaign.
Scientists’ Luncheon
Produced by WEF in collaboration with the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists and the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors, this event will celebrate leading academics and researchers and the important role they play in advancing the science and technology of environmental protection.
Women in Water: Inspiring, Informing, Connecting
This event will involve a peer-to-peer exchange of knowledge and advice in support of women in the water industry. During the reception and session, current and future female water sector leaders will represent a variety of disciplines.
Students & Young Professionals Networking & Career Fair
The career fair is an opportunity for students and young professionals to expand their knowledge of the water quality industry and acquire better interviewing skills. Top environmental firms from the U.S. and Canada will be present.
Kevin Cassidy, Executive Vice President, Engineered Systems
SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions
What new technologies for industrial water will SUEZ highlight at WEFTEC?
It is great to see the industrial sector gaining more ground at WEFTEC. There is a lot of potential for technology to help lower energy and water consumption and to enable water reuse — all of which help industries across the board.
This year at WEFTEC, we are focused on technology development and application innovation where we take proven technologies and apply them in new ways to help our industrial customers optimize their processes and meet environmental challenges. We will be discussing a technology development that we believe will benefit both industrial and municipal markets. It will help customers improve energy consumption in the wastewater treatment application.
For application innovation, a couple examples that we will present at the conference include flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater treatment. We have a new zero liquid discharge application that combines brine concentration with solidification solutions to create a lower cost and lower risk option to treat wastewater streams. Another application addresses landfill leachate and gas condensate using biological, physical and chemical treatment options.
What topics will SUEZ speakers cover?
We have a multitude of experts presenting at the conference. Topics include MABR technology applications, energy positive resource recovery, brine treatment and big picture issues, sludge biological hydrolysis, linking technologies to potable reuse schemes, and combined applications for landfill leachate and gas condensate.
What challenges will industrial water users be looking to solve at WEFTEC?
Industrial challenges vary based on the industry, region and water needs. A few overarching challenges include updating wastewater treatment to meet regulations, lowering energy consumption for wastewater treatment and enabling water reuse to protect freshwater sources or offset water scarcity burdens.
Sept. 29–Oct. 3
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center | New Orleans
EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Mon., Oct. 1, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tue., Oct. 2, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 3, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
