June 14 – 17
ACE21 All Virtual Professional Program
Wednesday , June 16 , 2021
Security Vulnerabilities in the Wake of COVID-19 ( VS3 _ 07 )
Track : Utility Resilience | 10:00 – 10:30 a . m .
As large utilities were finishing their assessments , the COVID-19 pandemic appeared and everything changed very quickly , but did security procedures change just as fast to keep up with the new risks ? Participants will learn about how utility-wide policy changes can impact vulnerability , considerations for perimeter security with new COVID-19 precautions , and mitigation strategies .
Innovations in PFAS : What ’ s on the Horizon ? ( VS3 _ 08 )
Track : Innovating the Future of Water | 10:00 – 11:00 a . m .
This session focuses on waste considerations , impacts to service providers , current regulatory profile , and innovative treatment technologies .
Women Influencers in Water ( VS3 _ 09 )
Track : Networking Events | 10:00 a . m . – 12:00 p . m .
Based on the World Banks ’ 2019 Women Water Utilities Report , women are underrepresented in the water industry . However , more women are in positions of leadership , more women are entering the water industry , and more women are engaged in AWWA . Join us for this exciting conversation with four women who are influencing and changing the water industry as we know it . AWWA ’ s President Melissa Elliott will lead this session with Shellie Chard , Water Quality Division Director , Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality ; Angela Charles , Director , Charlotte Water ; Dora Chiang , VP , CDM Smith ; and Amanda Jones , Woman Water Founder . Start thinking about the questions you want to ask these influencers !
Dynamic Source Water Protection Plans ( VS3 _ 06 )
Track : Sustainable Water Resources | 10:15 – 10:45 a . m .
Source water protection is critical to maintain a sustainable , reliable water supply . Developing a source water protection plan brings together data from many different sources . Typically , a source water protection report is developed to comply with the regulatory requirements but eventually gathers dust on a shelf , of little use or benefit to water resource managers . A dashboard was created to better manage needed reports , update contact information , and visualize data from multiple sources . The dashboard provided water resource managers the tools to understand the historic and water quality conditions in their watershed to better direct mitigation actions to enhance water quality and protect that valuable resource .
Networking Breaks
Track : Networking Events | 10:30 – 10:45 a . m .
Take a break from the technical sessions and join AWWA leaders on topics such as Paragliding , Tennis , and Motorcycling with the Water Buffalo ’ s ! We hope you will be able to join us for a quick 15-minutes to converse with the leaders and your colleagues . Join us on Wednesday to get re-energized for the afternoon sessions with a midday Yoga stretch !
Affordability Considerations ( VS3 _ 10 )
Track : Water Utility Management and Leadership | 11:00 – 11:45 a . m .
Affordability has been a hot topic in the water utility industry for years , but the conversation around affordability itself is changing rapidly as utilities wrestle with how to respond to the new economic climate and their customers ’ needs . Utilities must understand and plan for delinquency and develop a play book for how to respond . Gathering and analyzing data while simultaneously understanding legal constraints and developing and analyzing policy options is a key feature of deciding how to proceed in this new and sensitive landscape .
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