Registration is now open for the seventh Emerging Water Technology Symposium (EWTS), which returns to being an in-person event May 10-11 in San Antonio. To register, visit https://www.aspe.org/2022-ewts-registration/. 

The EWTS is co-convened by the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE), the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI), in cooperation with the World Plumbing Council (WPC). 

The 2022 EWTS will include the following presentations:

  • “Non-potable Water Systems: Unique Plumbing Code Considerations” by Phillip White, manager of plumbing and mechanical inspections, City of Vancouver, British Columbia;
  • “The Role of Safety and Performance Requirements in Reinventing the Toilet” by Sun Gil Kim, program officer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation;
  • “Direct Potable Reuse — Can It Be a Consumer Product?” by Markus Lenger, Clean Blu Innovation;
  • “Understanding the Need, Benefits and Limitations of Applying Supplemental Disinfection Control in Plumbing Systems” by Janet E. Stout, president and director, Special Pathogens Laboratory;
  • “Understanding the Application and Potential of the Water Demand Calculator” by Professor Steve Buchberger, University of Cincinnati;
  • Panels on “Effective Risk Management of Building Water Systems for Pathogen Control” and “Implications of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Build Back Better Legislation on Water Infrastructure and Plumbing;” and more.

A complete schedule is available at https://ewts.org/2022-schedule/. 

 The keynote addresses will be delivered by Dr. Richard Thorsten, chief impact officer for Water.org, and Robert Puente, president and CEO of the San Antonio Water System.

Thorsten oversees collaboration and innovation across the Global Impact department to generate a credible evidence base to advance insights, influence action, and contribute to thought leadership. His team works with water and sanitation enterprises and service providers to find effective ways to maintain and scale Water.org’s programs to improve the health and welfare of people living in poverty worldwide.

Puente was appointed San Antonio Water System’s president and CEO in May 2008. As chief executive of one of the nation’s largest utilities, he provides leadership in delivering water and wastewater services to more than 1.7 million consumers, developing new water resources, continuing infrastructure upgrades throughout the community, and building regional partnerships. As one of the policy pioneers of modern water supply management in Texas, Puente has helped shape and steward key landmark regional water issues.

“This year’s program is shaping up to be the best yet. Dr. Thorsten’s and Mr. Puente’s presentations will definitely set the tone for an impactful and relevant symposium,” said Tony Marcello, IAPMO senior vice president of Training and Credential Services. “We are extremely thrilled with their involvement and look forward to their presentations with great anticipation.”

The biennial symposium provides a platform for plumbers, contractors, engineers, manufacturers, and water-efficiency experts to introduce new technologies for the plumbing and mechanical industries, and to discuss emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities important to anyone who is concerned about how water is used in the built environment.  

Attendees are advised to register early, as seating is limited. The early-bird rate of $495 ends March 15. Additional information may be found at www.ewts.org.

Presentations and a series of videos from previous symposiums are available for viewing at www.youtube.com/user/IAPMOGroup/playlists.