Educational Sessions
The ACE25 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 — we have got your water knowledge needs covered.
View Educational Sessions
About Our Sessions
Our diverse sessions and events cater to all water sector professionals, from young professionals to seasoned experts. Participate in a Pre-conference Workshop on Sunday, June 8 (additional cost, registration required), or join us on Monday, June 9 as we kickoff ACE25 with a grand Opening General Session. Educational Sessions continue Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Explore the full lineup of ACE25 Educational Sessions or take a glimpse at the Schedule-at-a-Glance to plan your high-level itinerary.
Session Spotlights
Lessons Learned from Full-Scale PFAS Treatment at Water Utilities
Track: A Focus on PFAS
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. | Monday, June 9 | Room 501 – 502
This session will present the challenges, successes, performance, and lessons learned from water utilities with experience designing and operating full-scale PFAS treatment at their water treatment plants. Presentations will include utilities with groundwater and surface as well as GAC and IX treatment.
Community Engagement & Empowerment: A Path to 2050
Track: The Future of Water | Roundtable Sessions
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. | Tuesday, June 10 | Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
Water 2050 is a collaborative initiative that envisions the future of water and charts a course for success and sustainability. This session will feature a conversation with members of Water 2050’s Equity, Access, and Community Engagement Strategic Implementation Team. We’ll discuss their intentions, the current state of consumer water knowledge, and the resources being developed.
Artificial Intelligence: Trends Within and Outside The Water Sector
Track: Legal, Financial, and Management
8:30 – 10:00 a.m. | Wednesday, June 11 | Four Seasons Ballroom 4
This session will look at the financial, legal, and management aspects of AI and how it is changing the game in the water sector. Case studies would present how water utilities are using and managing AI, the financial and legal challenges encountered, and possibly include the perspective(s) from AI companies and how they are supporting AI products/implementation and water utilities.
Kathryn Sorensen
Director of Research, Kyl Center for Water Policy, Morrison Institute
Join us for the Opening General Session Keynote with Kathryn Sorensen!
Monday, June 9│9:00-10:00 a.m.│Colorado Convention Center – Bluebird Ballroom
Kathryn is the Director of Research at the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University. She served for many years as Director of Phoenix Water Services as well as Director of the city of Mesa’s Water Resources Department. In these roles she was responsible for the delivery of safe, reliable water for millions of Arizonans, and significantly advanced the sound management of water resources in Arizona and the Colorado River basin. Kathryn earned a PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan. She currently serves as a board member of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, as a member of the Water & Health Advisory Council, as a Senior Global Futures Scientist at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, and as a member of the Colorado River Research Group. She dabbles on the AWWA Rates & Charges Subcommittee.
Presenter Highlights
AWWA strives to bring a robust variety of presenters to ACE. This year’s conference has a great lineup of speakers with something for everyone attending. Our presenters are speaking at different events throughout ACE and the schedule can be found in the ACE25 program. The individuals listed here are only a few highlights and ACE will have many more presenters in attendance. Be sure to explore the full ACE25 program to schedule your time at ACE.
Kathryn Sorensen, PhD
Director of Research, Kyl Center for Water Policy, Morrison Institute
Karl Linden, PhD
Professor, CU-Boulder
AP Black Research Award Winner
Brent Alspach
VP and Director of Applied Research, Arcadis
John Civardi
Principal Technologist, Carollo Engineers
Zaid Chowdhury
Water Practice Leader, Garver
Jim Cooper
Global Director, Water, Arcadis
Heather Correia
AVP for the Higher Education group at Moody’s
Audra Dickinson
Senior Director, Sector Head for Water and Sewer, Fitch Ratings
Ji Im
Principal Environmental Engineer, CDM Smith
Mark LeChevallier
Principal at Dr. Water Consulting, LLC
Erin Mackey
National Technical Innovation Leader, Drinking Water and Reuse, Brown and Caldwell
Jenny Poree
Sector Leader for the Water & Sewer Utilities group for S&P Global
Chad Seidel
President, Corona Environmental Consulting, LLC
R. Scott Summers
Professor Emeritus- Environmental Engineering Program, University of Colorado- Boulder
Jessica Williams
Chief Financial Officer, City of Denton
Conference Tracks
This year, ACE offers 22 Educational Session Tracks. These tracks have dozens of sessions housed under their areas of focus. By exploring the tracks, you can build your personalized ACE25 schedule of curated sessions!
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.
Focused Insights Sessions
Introducing “Focused Insights” sessions at ACE25
Discover AWWA’s “Focused Insights” sessions; crafted for those seeking depth, clarity, and meaningful dialogue on specific water topics. These sessions are designed to be attended in full, allowing participants the time and space to gain a better understanding of broad concepts. Be on the lookout for this new indicator in our program to take advantage of these knowledge opportunities.
*Please note that partial attendance (of less than 30 minutes) will not meet the criteria for AWWA Certificates of Completion.*
AWWA ACE Events App
AWWA ACE Events, powered by Core-Apps – your ultimate tool for a seamless experience. New for ACE25, this year’s app will bring powerful features to help you preplan and stay connected while in Denver – install today!
- Download “AWWA ACE Events” from your app store.
- Open the app and select 2025 Annual Conference & Exposition.
- Log in using your email address and your ACE25 barcode number/Log in credential number, present in your ACE25 registration confirmation email.
- Explore and discover session details, exhibitor listings, events, maps and more.
- Customize your agenda—star items to add them to My Agenda’s user-friendly grid view!
Our NEW app features:
- Desktop-to-Phone Syncing: Plan your agenda ahead on the desktop version and access it on your phone for a seamless onsite experience.
- Customizable Schedules: Tailor your agenda and track must-attend sessions and activities.
- Interactive Maps: Navigate the venue effortlessly with detailed and user-friendly maps.
- Real-Time Updates: Stay informed with instant notifications about schedule changes and special announcements.
- Networking Made Easy: Connect with fellow attendees and exhibitors through powerful networking tools.
- Exhibitor Directory: Explore detailed profiles and booth locations for a more productive visit.
“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.
Workshops & Tours
ACE has a variety of workshops and facility tours in and around Denver 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 services@awwa.org. A complete list of our offerings can be found at the link below.
Workshops and Tours