Educational Sessions
Each year, the ACE Educational Program features a compelling lineup of educational sessions. From the latest PFAS updates to artificial intelligence, water reuse, life after lead service lines and so much more — ACE has your water knowledge needs covered.
View ACE25 Educational Sessions
About Our Sessions
Thank you to all who joined us in Denver for ACE25! Together, we experienced diverse sessions and events catered to all water sector professionals, from young professionals to seasoned experts. The program remains accessible to explore the complete lineup of ACE25 Educational Sessions, or to take a look at the ACE26 Schedule-at-a-Glance to plan for next year!
Conference proceedings will be added here in July, for select ACE25 sessions.
Conference Tracks
Each year, ACE features a robust lineup of Educational Session Tracks. These tracks have dozens of sessions housed under their areas of focus.
Advances in Water Treatment
Join expert-led sessions to explore water treatment challenges and solutions, including filtration, contaminant control, and system optimization. Learn from case studies and AWWA’s 101 Series for foundational insights in conventional surface water treatment.
Research
Water research advances our understanding of challenges and solutions. Researchers explore cutting-edge treatment processes and technologies, addressing difficult contaminants. University Forums showcase the latest academic research, contributing to our knowledge of the water ecosystem.
Infrastructure Management
Water infrastructure is a major investment. Adopting asset management with inventories and condition assessments helps utilities make data-driven budget decisions while maintaining service levels. Attendees will explore risk, O&M, and asset management planning tools and strategies.
Distribution System Operation & Management
Aging pipes are deteriorating. Efficient design, management, and operation are vital. Learn about innovations and technologies for assessing, designing, and managing distribution system rehabilitation or replacement. Topics include plant safety, AMR/AMI, flushing, and cross-connection control.
A Focus on PFAS
Growing concern about PFAS in drinking water highlights broader contaminant issues. Understanding PFAS formation and transformation is key to remediation. Join experts to discuss detection, treatment, and stakeholder communication.
Intelligent Water
Intelligent water integrates smart technologies and data-driven solutions for efficient water management. Sensors, automation, and real-time analytics improve monitoring. Models and digital twins generate predictive scenarios, aiding utilities in effective operation and informed decision-making.
Capital Improvement Projects
Water systems are vital yet costly. Capital improvement projects involve designing, constructing, and delivering infrastructure enhancements. This session covers innovative designs, new building techniques, construction materials, and project delivery strategies.
The Latest on Lead & Copper
To comply with the Lead & Copper Rule Revisions, water utilities need resources for lead reduction plans and corrosion control. This session provides insights on the ruling’s impacts, helping stakeholders stay updated and prepare for changes.
Regulatory & Legislative Actions
With constantly evolving regulations, compliance requirements, and policies, there’s always something new to address on the regulatory front. Uncover the latest developments on current issues and learn tips for managing federal, state, provincial, and local activities that affect utility operations, management, and ultimately the bottom line.
The Future of Water | Roundtable Sessions
Water systems face climate-change challenges. Sessions cover funding, treatment, storage, distribution, and management needs, aiming to enhance the resilience and sustainability of water services for the future.
Legal, Financial, & Management
C-Suite water leaders balance risk, resilience, and corporate responsibility. They navigate economic, legal, and environmental concerns like the Colorado River, PFAS, bond ratings, and funding. Join experts discussing these important issues.
Water Use Efficiency Practices
Water use efficiency is essential for managing demand amid population growth and diminishing resources. Join experts to explore planning, demand-side management, outdoor efficiency, and technology for meaningful water efficiency benefits.
Utility Risk & Resilience
Extreme weather events have increased, making resilience efforts crucial for water utilities. These efforts save lives and taxpayer dollars. Join experts to discuss America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 and strategies for risk assessment and resilience against natural and cyber hazards.
Water in the West
Colorado and other western states face water challenges from droughts and extreme weather. Efforts include regulatory measures, infrastructure upgrades, and sustainable practices to ensure reliable water sources for agriculture, urban areas, and a growing population.
Water Resources Planning, Protection & Management
Protecting water resources requires an integrated approach, including conservation programs, potable reuse, watershed protection, groundwater management, and resilience. Join experts to discuss best practices for developing a robust water supply portfolio.
Reuse
To meet growing water demands, utilities are diversifying their portfolios. Potable reuse is becoming a viable option. Join experts to discuss challenges and strategies for implementing potable reuse as a new water source.
Water Quality Challenges
Discover cutting-edge information on contaminants in drinking water. Sessions cover treatment advances for PFAS, algae, inorganics, microbials, DBPs, and more. Explore case studies and the relationship between drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater.
Water Utility Management
Water providers support public health, economies, and social stability. Beyond their technical aspects, water quality and reliability are critical health, lifestyle, and social issues. Utility managers can adopt community stewardship to benefit and serve equitably, especially underserved neighborhoods.
Water Education & the Workforce
This session focuses on developing a skilled, diverse workforce to address aging infrastructure, emerging technologies, and sustainability. Training programs foster innovation, inclusivity, and continuous learning, creating a resilient community for the evolving water sector.
“It was an extremely valuable learning experience. In the educational sessions, I encountered others who were working on the same problems as me but were further along. They were all willing to share their knowledge, both at the conference and afterwards.”
“I’m a P.E. new to the water industry, and this conference was an excellent introduction to the world of water! The educational sessions offered a deep dive into an array of fascinating topics. I have a newfound appreciation for the colossal effort and collaboration required to ensure safe and accessible water.”
“ACE 2024 is the first one I have attended, as a student I am grateful and impressed by the interest they have in students and YPS relating to the industry. I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to meet wonderful people and be able to learn a lot in so few days. I will definitely attend again! Mexico present!”
“AWWA ACE continues to be the place to learn the latest on providing safe water to our cities and communities, while strengthening the friendships and relationships within our professional community. AWWA is the place where we provide, and find, help to solve problems.”
AWWA Provides Certificates of Completion
Earn continuing education hours at ACE! Whether you are an engineer collecting PDHs, an operator needing CEUs, or simply require proof of attendance, ALL attendees can earn AWWA Certificates of Completion by scanning in and out of educational sessions. These Certificates can then be downloaded from your AWWA account in July.
Remember: All approvals are at the discretion of your licensing agency, and every state/province is different – so be sure to check first! ACE is an excellent learning opportunity for all our attendees, no matter your water profession. Elevate your journey while supporting a brighter future for you and our water resources.