The American Water Works Association's ACE24 Conference, held from June 10-12, 2024, in Anaheim, California, brought together industry professionals, thought leaders, and innovators for three days of insightful discussions and presentations. This annual event is a cornerstone for the water sector, providing a platform to address current challenges, share advancements, and collaborate on future, resilient strategies.
The Fontus Blue team had an amazing time at the ACE24 Conference! It was a fantastic opportunity to meet clients, colleagues, and friends in person. Our team showcased groundbreaking Virtual Jar and decision support software during the show. If you missed seeing it in person, schedule a time with us to experience it yourself!
Our presentation on the findings from the Rural Ripples podcast was well-received. Presented alongside Rogue Water Lab, it sparked conversations about the unique challenges and innovations in rural water utilities and how larger, more adept utilities can support them.
Stay tuned, as these conversations will be developed into a podcast later this year!
Conference Theme: Transforming Our Water Future
The overarching theme of this year's conference was "Transforming Our Water Future." This theme encapsulated the collective goal of the water community to innovate and adapt in the face of evolving environmental and infrastructural challenges. The sessions and discussions throughout the conference focused on leveraging technology, improving infrastructure, and preparing the workforce for the future of water management.
Key Themes and Sessions
The conference featured a robust agenda with sessions covering various crucial topics. Here are some of the key themes and insights from ACE24:
1. Intelligent Water
Sessions focused on integrating smart technologies and data analytics to enhance water management. Discussions highlighted the potential of AI and IoT in predicting and preventing water quality issues, optimizing distribution systems, and improving operational efficiency.
2. Infrastructure Management:
Aging infrastructure is a significant challenge, so sessions addressed strategies for effective asset management and infrastructure renewal.
3. Water Quality Challenges:
Addressing water quality issues was a central theme, with sessions exploring emerging contaminants, microbial risks, and strategies for maintaining high water quality standards.
4. Transforming the Water Workforce:
As the industry faces a wave of retirements, transforming the water workforce is a key topic. Sessions highlighted the need for training programs, knowledge transfer initiatives, and strategies to attract and retain talent in the water sector.
5. Engaging the Next Generation of Young Professionals:
As the industry faces a wave of retirements, transforming the water workforce is a key topic. Sessions highlighted the need for training programs, knowledge transfer initiatives, and strategies to attract and retain talent in the water sector. Engaging young professionals and encouraging their involvement in the industry was also emphasized.
Conclusion
The ACE24 Conference successfully brought together the water community to address critical challenges and explore transformative solutions. It provided valuable insights and set the stage for future advancements in the industry. As we’re sure many others did, the Fontus Blue team left with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to transforming our water future, ensuring sustainable and safe water management for future generations.
Let’s Optimize Water Treatment Together!
