Operators

Operators are the backbone of the public drinking water system and a critical part of all our water systems, delivering water safely and responsibly to both customers and the environment. We are excited to welcome all operators to ACE26.

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Continue Your Career in Water

Attending ACE is a key investment in your operator career! Explore the exhibit hall, network with experts, and attend educational sessions tailored to your career path. The ACE educational program includes practical sessions focusing on high-priority issues that water operators face on the job. The ACE Exhibit Hall is the top place where operators can explore new products and innovation showcases, right alongside tried-and-true solutions for the water community.

ACE is also a place to network with peers and industry leaders from all around the world. The ACE competitions, such as Pipe Tapping, the AWWA Meter Challenge, and Top Ops, are opportunities to showcase your skills or watch and enjoy the camaraderie. All competitions require an AWWA membership, and only teams winning in Sections are eligible to participate.

AWWA offers Certificates of Completion for attending educational sessions. Check to see if your state or provincial agency has been approved for ACE26.

Operator CEUs by State

Event Highlight

Pipe Tapping Finals

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m | Wednesday, June 24, 2026

The AWWA National Tapping Competition is a competition of skill in which water operators from across North America work against the clock to open a cement-lined, ductile iron pipe and install a tap. The competition begins at the local AWWA Section level and the winners are then eligible to compete in the national Tapping Competition. There are two divisions, Men’s and Women’s.

The Pipe Tapping Finals determine the winners of each division of the competition. They will be held on the last day of the conference. It is an excellent opportunity to watch (or compete with) the best of the best in operations.

Event Highlight

WSSC Bioenergy Facility Tour

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | 12:45–4:30 p.m.

Tour capacity is limited and will sell out – register early!

The Bioenergy Facility tour will explore the anaerobic digestion and combined heat and power processes focusing on our new and innovative thermal hydrolysis process (CAMBI), Gas Upgrading System, and Side Stream Treatment processes. We will make time for Q/A throughout the tour.

Tour notes: Safety glasses, vests and hard hats will be provided if necessary; please wear sturdy closed-toe walking shoes or boots. Climbing and descending stairs will be required. Please bring ID and refillable water bottle on all tours. Additional logistics will be provided to registrants in early June.

Operator Events

Tuesday, June 23	4:30-5:00 p.m.	Exhibit Hall Social Hour Take this opportunity to unwind, network and explore the ACE exhibit hall. One complimentary beverage ticket will be attached to your badge.
Wednesday, June 24	10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.	Pipe Tapping Finals
	10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.	Top Ops Finals

Make the Case to Attend ACE

ACE enables operators to sit in on professional development sessions, educational sessions, workshops, and more. AWWA provides a thorough justification toolkit for operators who wish to attend ACE to help you plan and budget for your trip to the conference. Our toolkit will guide you through selecting workshops, exhibitors, and other programming you would like to attend and how to justify the expenses to your employer or manager.

Justification Toolkit

AWWA Provides Certificates of Completion

Operators can earn continuing education hours while at ACE! By scanning in and out of educational sessions, all eligible attendees can earn AWWA Certificates of Completion, which can be downloaded from your AWWA account in following the conference.

Be sure to read the important disclaimer and scan in and out of each session you attend to earn AWWA certificates. Final approvals are at the discretion of your licensing agency, and every state/province is different. ACE is an excellent learning opportunity for all our attendees, no matter your water profession. Continue your journey while supporting a brighter future for you and our water resources.

Learn More

Calculate or Convert Credit Hours

States and Provinces use all sorts of abbreviations and nomenclature to address continuing education for water sector professionals. The unit will vary for each state, each profession, and every agency. Operators should become familiar with your unique agency, and can see the status of your state here.

Here are some of the most common ways to represent “1 Hour”:

ONE HOUR =
1 PDH	Professional Development Hour	0.1 TU	Training Unit
0.1 CEU	Continuing Education Unit	1 TCH	Training Contact Hour
1 CEH	Continuing Education Hour	1 TC	Training Credit
1 CEC	Continuing Education Credit	1 TH	Training Hour

Workshops & Tours

ACE has a variety of pre-conference workshops and facility tours in and around Washington, D.C. scheduled, as well. You may register for pre-conference tours and workshops along with your registration to ACE. If you would like to add a workshop or tour to your existing registration, please email your request to service@awwa.org. A complete list of our offerings can be found at the link below.

Learn More

ACE26

Track Spotlights for Operators

Build your ACE itinerary and team up with your fellow water heroes!

Explore All Tracks

Distribution System Operations & Management

Aging and deteriorating pipe infrastructure presents a serious yet actionable problem. Sessions will feature innovations, approaches, and technologies for assessing, designing, and managing the rehabilitation or replacement of distribution systems. Plant safety, AMR/AMI, system flushing, and cross-connection control will be covered.

Infrastructure Management

Water infrastructure involves a significant capital investment for a community; preserving its value is crucial. An asset management approach that incorporates inventories and condition assessments enables data-driven decisions on budgets while maintaining service levels. Learn about risk assessment, O&M, and asset management tools and strategies.

Utility Risk & Resilience

Extreme weather events have increased significantly in recent years. Resilience efforts by water and wastewater utilities save lives and money and are crucial for helping cities prepare for these challenges. Review provisions in America’s Water Infrastructure Act for assessing risk and increasing resilience against natural and cyber hazards.

What Attendees Are Saying

“This was my first ACE, and I am happy that I could experience it. I learned through the educational sessions. I was able to network with people to build working relationships that will help me in the future. The ideas and information gathered from vendors in the expo will help me to make future operation decisions.”

“Attending the conference with a scholarship was a dream come true for me.”

“ACE24 was great, there was a plethora of information, and there are so many vendors with different products, you are sure to discover something that you never knew you needed. Great times.”