Educational Sessions

The ACE26 Program features a compelling lineup of education opportunities.

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Programming For All Water Professionals

Now available! The ACE26 Educational Program is now live, showcasing the best in water education. Explore below to see how ACE26 has your water knowledge needs covered.

2026

Educational Program

Over four energizing days, ACE26 features sessions and events spanning the entire water sector, offering fresh insights, practical solutions, and inspiration for every professional.

Conference Tracks

Schedule-at-a-Glance

Continuing Education
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Educational Sessions

Daily core sessions

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Workshops & Tours

Bonus opportunities

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Public Officials Training Courses

Education for officials

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Kathryn Sorensen
Opening General Session

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Join us for the Opening General Session Keynote!
Monday, June 22│9:00-10:00 a.m.│Convention Center

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Tracks

Conference Tracks

Each year, ACE provides a robust lineup of Educational Session Tracks. These tracks have dozens of sessions housed under their areas of focus.

Explore Our Tracks (subject to change)

Advances in Water Treatment

Explore recent developments in water treatment challenges and solutions. Topics include best practices for conventional/biological filtration, inorganic contaminant control, optimization of treatment system performance, and more. Engage with case studies that offer practical examples of successful solutions in action, or with our 101 Series for fundamentals.

Research

Water research plays a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of water challenges and developing innovative solutions. Researchers will present cutting-edge processes and technologies on the water ecosystem and address the most difficult water contaminants. University Forums showcase the latest in academic research.

Infrastructure Management

Water infrastructure represents a major capital investment for a community; maintaining investment value is essential. An asset management approach that includes inventories and condition assessments allows data-driven decisions about budgets while maintaining levels of service. Learn risk assessment, O&M, and asset management tools and strategies.

Distribution System Operation & 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.

A Focus on PFAS

Growing concern about the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water has brought increased recognition of broader emerging contaminants issues. Understanding formation, treatment, destruction, and communication is essential to support utilities undertaking the next step in regulatory compliance.

Intelligent Water

Intelligent water is the integration of smart technologies and data-driven solutions for the management and utilization of water resources. With sensors, automation, and data analytics, intelligent water systems enable efficient monitoring of water quality, distribution, and usage. Models and digital twins leverage information to generate predictive scenarios to operate effectively and achieve treatment goals.

Capital Improvement Projects

Water systems are a vital yet costly component of every community, scrutinized by policymakers and ratepayers. Capital improvement projects encompass designing, constructing, and delivering essential water infrastructure improvements. Explore innovative and sustainable designs, new building techniques and 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 regulation, compliance and policy issues, there’s always something new to address on the regulatory front. Uncover the latest developments on current issues and capture valuable tips for managing federal, state, provincial and local issues that affect utility operations, management and ultimately, the bottom line.

Water 2050 and the Future of Water | Roundtable Sessions

The Water 2050 initiative is driving toward a secure, sustainable, and resilient water future for all. Sessions will explore current and forward-looking work in finance and affordability, real-time monitoring, technological innovations, circular water economies, one-water governance, the water workforce, and community engagement.

Legal, Financial, & Management

C-Suite water leaders grapple with decisions related to risk, resilience and corporate responsibility. Balancing economic and legal considerations with environmental stewardship is crucial as utilties navigate the complexities of regulations, bond ratings, and funding mechanisms. Join us as legal and financial experts discuss issues that impact our water leaders.

Water Use Efficiency Practices

Water use efficiency practices are valuable tools for water resource managers. Managing demand will require innovative solutions. Discover planning and research initiatives, strategies to promote and achieve demand-side management, outdoor water efficiency, and how the right technology can provide meaningful water efficiency benefits.

Utility Risk & Resilience

Extreme weather events have increased dramatically in recent years. Resiliency efforts of water and wastewater utilities save lives and dollars, and play a key role in preparing cities for the challenges they face from these events. Explore provisions in America’s Water Infrastructure Act for assessing risk and becoming more resilient from natural and cyber hazards.

The ‘Great Water’ of Chesapeake and Virginia

This track will highlight innovative projects and topics that will define the future success of the Chesapeake region: from data center development and the impact of AI on water, to new approaches for regional management and protection of shared source water, to world-class asset management with cutting-edge technologies protecting the region around our nation’s capital.

Water Resources Planning, Protection & Management

Protecting and managing water resource portfolios requires an integrated approach that includes existing water resources, water conservation programs, potable reuse projects, watershed protection, groundwater management, and resiliency considerations. Join experts to discuss best practices for developing a robust water supply portfolio.

Reuse

To meet growing and stressed water supply demands, utilities are looking to diversify their portfolio.  Potable reuse is becoming a realistic option for more water utilities. Join experts as they frame the challenges and identify proven strategies to implement potable reuse as a new source of supply. 

Water Quality Challenges

This track focuses on the latest results and approaches to meeting drinking water issues. Topics include PFAS, algae, manganese and inorganics, non-point source pollutants, microbials and emerging contaminants, DBPs, and premise plumbing. Explore the relationship between drinking water, wastewater, reuse and stormwater from a water quality perspective.

Water Utility Management

Water providers have a key role in support of the public and the communities they serve. Water utility managers can leverage their existing role by adopting a broader community stewardship role as an integral part of their water service mission. Learn how to increase benefits, lessen impacts, and provide service equitably across the service area.

Water Education & the Workforce

Developing a skilled and diverse workforce, capable of addressing complex issues such as aging infrastructure, emerging technologies, and sustainability is crucial. Training and education programs play a pivotal role in equipping professionals with the necessary expertise to navigate the modern water landscape.

Communicating with Clarity

Across the water sector, communication is more than messaging; it’s mission-critical. Utilities are finding innovative ways to educate, engage, and empower their audiences. Attendees will learn how to make complex topics clear, turn projects and regulations into communication opportunities, and apply creativity and strategy to build trust and understanding.

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Focused Insights Sessions

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.*

Focused Sessions
ACE App 2025
coming soon
ACE App

AWWA ACE Events App

AWWA ACE Events, powered by Core-Apps – launching in May 2026.

The app will feature:

  • 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.
What Attendees Are Saying

“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.”

Content

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.

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