Workshops & Tours | ACE24

In 2024, ACE pre-conference workshops will take place on Monday, June 10, 2024. 
 Workshops offer the opportunity to take a deep-dive into today's most relevant water topics.
Facility Tours take place on Wednesday and Thursday. 
Register for ACE24 Pre-conference Workshops or Tours (all carry an additional fee) during the registration process. If you would like to add a workshop to an existing registration, email your requests to service@awwa.org.

All ACE24 tours are Sold Out.

Remaining workshop capacity is LIMITED! REGISTER TODAY!

 

Pre-Conference Workshops

PCW01: Asset Management: From Fundamental Concepts to Advanced Practices

Monday, June 10, 2024  |  9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Workshops are an additional fee, please see online registration for availability and pricing.

The AWWA 2020 survey evaluating the Progress Levels in Asset Management revealed that many utilities still lack maturity in fundamental asset management documentation. This workshop will delve into critical documents, including the strategic asset management plan and asset management plans, exploring their content, sharing valuable lessons learned, and illustrating the advantages they offer utilities. Moreover, advanced topics like resilience, social equity, and environmental justice will be examined in relation to these plans.

PCW02: Successful Implementation of a Condition Assessment Program After Funding

Monday, June 10, 2024  |  9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Workshops are an additional fee, please see online registration for availability and pricing.

Many utilities face challenges when it comes to establishing condition assessment programs. Some struggle to initiate such programs due to a lack of guidance, while others have programs but are unsure how to kick-start them. This workshop aims to guide the audience through the effective implementation of a condition assessment program, offering insights into tailored approaches that suit their utility's unique requirements. Industry-leading utilities will also share case studies to illustrate their successful approaches and explain why these strategies were effective.

PCW03: Optimal Delivery for my Public Water Utility Capital Project

Monday, June 10, 2024  |  9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Workshops are an additional fee, please see online registration for availability and pricing.

How do you determine the best approach for delivering a capital improvement project? This workshop offers an opportunity for professionals, both new and experienced, to collaborate with water utility experts on how to make informed decisions about project delivery methods. In the morning, participants will gain insights into different project delivery methods, such as design-bid build, construction-manager-at-risk, and design-build, and engage in group discussions to select the most suitable method for example projects. In the afternoon, panels featuring experienced owners and practitioners will provide real-life perspectives on collaborative water project delivery methods. 

PCW04: Operationalizing Automation, Data Analytics, and Machine Learning

Monday, June 10, 2024  |  9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Workshops are an additional fee, please see online registration for availability and pricing.

Water 2050 proposes the advancement of digital technologies to enhance resource management and optimization. This workshop will delve into the factors driving this initiative, the obstacles encountered, and the opportunities it presents in harnessing digital technologies and putting data analytics into practical operation. It will explore the integration of AI/ML for improved decision-making intelligence. Participants will gain insights into evaluating and strategizing their decision support systems and AI/ML projects, underpinned by robust data engineering and analytics capabilities.

PCW05: How to Extend the Lives of Old Water Mains Using Proven, Cost-Effective Methods

Monday, June 10, 2024  |  9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Workshops are an additional fee, please see online registration for availability and pricing.

This workshop will emphasize the hands-on implementation of water main rehabilitation techniques, catering to utility managers and engineers at every proficiency level, from beginners to seasoned experts. Attendees will acquire the essential skills required to initiate or enhance programs that achieve greater infrastructure renewal while optimizing costs and minimizing public disruptions. The workshop will spotlight case studies from both large and small utilities, and participants are encouraged to actively engage in discussions and share their own experiences.

PCW06: Operationalizing Digital Twins: Connecting to SCADA

Monday, June 10, 2024  |  9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Workshops are an additional fee, please see online registration for availability and pricing.

Digital twins offer excellent benefits in operations, emergency management, and planning; however, the development of the digital twins requires knowledge in Operational Technology (OT) and data management/integration. The workshop will provide hands-on experience on how to build digital twins, including OT, cyber security, real-time modeling tools and utility case studies.   

PCW07: Beyond the Spec Book: Learn to Design and Operate Water System Equipment through AWWA Standards & Manuals

Monday, June 10, 2024  |  1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Workshops are an additional fee, please see online registration for availability and pricing.

This comprehensive workshop offers participants hands-on experience with water system equipment such as pumps, valves, and pipes. Through this workshop, attendees learn practical knowledge of water treatment equipment and equipment specifications in user terms.  They will also learn the value of AWWA Standards and Manuals as a resource in designing and operating various water system equipment.  

Facility Tours

Tour T1: Groundwater Replenishment System - OCWD - SOLD OUT

Wednesday, June 12, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 12 noon
$75.00

Sold Out - This tour has reached capacity.

The Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) is the world’s largest water purification system for indirect potable reuse. The system, which is a joint partnership between the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San), takes highly treated wastewater that would have previously been discharged into the Pacific Ocean and purifies it using a three-step advanced treatment process consisting of microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide. The process produces high-quality water that meets all state and federal drinking water standards. 
 

Tour Notes: Comfortable clothing recommended and closed-toe walking shoes are required. This walking tour contains some stairs and uneven surfaces. Safety vests are required and will be provided by OCWD. Please bring ID on all tours. 
 

Tour T2: F.E. Weymouth Treatment Plant Tour - MWDSA - SOLD OUT

Wednesday, June 12, 2024
7:00 a.m. - 12 noon
$75.00

Sold Out - This tour has reached capacity.

The F.E. Weymouth Treatment Plant is the first treatment plant built by Metropolitan. Today, it treats water from the Colorado River and the State Water Project. Weymouth has a treatment capacity of 520 million gallons a day. The tour will include an overview of the treatment plant, ozone facilities, solar, and machine shops. 

Tour notes: Closed-toe walking shoes and long pants required. NO shorts, skirts or heels allowed on tour. PPE will be provided where required. Please bring ID. 
Registrants will be required to sign a waiver in advance:  AWWA will send to all registrants in May and ask that completed waivers be sent directly to facility contact person on form. 

Register early, this tour will close. 

Tour T3: IRWD Baker Tour - Baker Water Treatment Plant - Irvine Ranch Water District - SOLD OUT

Wednesday, June 12, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 12 noon
$75.00

Sold Out - This tour has reached capacity.

The Baker Water Treatment Plant is a 28.1 million gallon per day (mgd) drinking water treatment plant at the site of the former Baker Filtration Plant in Lake Forest.  The plant was a joint regional project by five South Orange County water districts, supported by community and business organizations. 

Tour notes: Closed-toe walking shoes are required and we recommend comfortable weather-related clothing (portions of the tour are outside). Please bring ID on all tours. 
 

Tour T4: WRD Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling and Environmental Learning - SOLD OUT

Thursday, June 13, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 12 noon
$75.00

Sold Out - This tour has reached capacity.

The five-acre Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling & Environmental Learning (ARC) is located in the City of Pico Rivera. ARC is a multipurpose and multi-benefit site which encapsulates the Water Replenishment District's commitment to the community through the construction of a state-of-the-art Advanced Water Treatment Facility, a fully digital Learning Center, and a water-efficient Demonstration Garden.

Treating up to 14.8 million gallons of water per day, the ARC facility is the crowning achievement of WRD’s Water Independence Now (WIN) program which created a locally sustainable water supply for groundwater recharge in the Montebello Forebay. By developing a local and sustainable water supply for groundwater replenishment, WRD is creating drought resiliency and strengthening water security in the region for generations to come.

Tour notes: Closed-toe walking shoes are required and we recommend comfortable clothing.  This walking tour will include some stairs and uneven surfaces. The facility is wheelchair accessible and accommodations can be made if notified by May 20th. Please bring ID on all tours. 

Tour T5: PFAS Water Treatment Plant - Yorba Linda Water District - SOLD OUT

Thursday, June 13, 2024
8:00 a.m. - 12 noon
$75.00

Sold Out - This tour has reached capacity.

The Yorba Linda Water District (YLWD) is home to the nation’s largest PFAS Water Treatment Plant located at the District’s headquarters. YLWD’s PFAS Water Treatment Plant was completed in December 2021 and is the largest of its kind in the nation with 6 pre-filter units, 22 Ion Exchange vessels, a 25 MGD booster pumping station, and a 1000 kW natural gas backup generator. The plant distributes treated water to our community at an operating capacity of 19 million gallons of water per day.


Tour Notes: Closed-toe walking shoes are required. Wear comfortable walking clothing, and please bring ID on all tours. 
 

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