W01 Wastewater Microbiology

Description: During this workshop, facility operators, managers, and engineers will use staining techniques and phase-contrast microscopes to analyze floc and identify protozoa, metazoa, and filaments, thereby developing practical information to help these professionals control their processes. The workshop will discuss types of microorganisms, environmental factors affecting the microorganisms, and metabolism and growth characteristics that may affect participants’ processes. A combination of learning styles will enable participants to help with related process control problems at their facilities.

Cost: WEF Member: $300.00; Non-Member: $330.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W08 Wastewater Microbiology

Description: During this workshop, facility operators, managers, and engineers will use staining techniques and phase-contrast microscopes to analyze floc and identify protozoa, metazoa, and filaments, thereby developing practical information to help these professionals control their processes. The workshop will discuss types of microorganisms, environmental factors affecting the microorganisms, and metabolism and growth characteristics that may affect participants’ processes. A combination of learning styles will enable participants to help with related process control problems at their facilities.

Cost: WEF Member: $300.00; Non-Member: $330.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W07 Activated Sludge and Biological Nutrient Removal Process Control: Hands-On in the Real World (Offsite)

Description: Leading practitioners will present this comprehensive workshop and share their experiences in an interactive environment. Presenters will introduce attendees to the basics of activated sludge and biological nutrient removal during the transit to a local water resource recovery facility. Upon arrival, attendees will rotate in small groups through six interactive stations: Oxidation Reduction Potential and Alkalinity, Microscopy, In-situ Nutrient Measurement, In-situ Aerator Oxygen Measurement, Troubleshooting Secondary Clarifiers, and Anaerobic Digestion Considerations. These groups will focus on overcoming practical design problems that have plagued many systems. Process control parameters, side-stream considerations, and practical tips will be discussed. The format is informal, and real-life examples and questions are welcomed. Please note, this workshop is held outdoors. 

Cost: WEF Member: $330.00; Non-Member: $360.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W12 Demystifying Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Measurement and Quantification (Offsite)

Description: Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a sign of stressed nitrification and biomass “unhappiness” and is a potent greenhouse gas. N₂O in activated sludge and biological nutrient removal systems must be measured to understand how it relates to a facility’s operating conditions. Hosted at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, participants will experience a practical introduction to N₂O measurement and mitigation. Participants will interact with N₂O measurement technology demonstrations focusing on operations, maintenance, and troubleshooting. 

Cost: WEF Member: $330.00; Non-Member: $360.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W02 Exploring Disinfection Validation in Water Reuse Scenarios

Description: This full-day interactive workshop will dive into the core processes of disinfection validation for water reuse applications. Expert speakers will guide groups of participants to concentrate on understanding and critically evaluating various aspects of the disinfection process, with hands-on exercises centered around the scientific and operational aspects; regulatory considerations; and validation tests result reporting. The workshop will also cover broader topics, such as general water reuse scenarios and regulations, incorporating only key elements that directly influence disinfection validation. The focus will be on real-time application, data collection, and decision-making processes for effective validation. 

Cost: WEF Member: $270.00; Non-Member: $300.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W11 Breaking Barriers for Industrial Water Reuse: Industry and Utility Approach

Description: Join industry leaders at the “Breaking Barriers for Industrial Water Reuse” workshop to explore innovative solutions for industrial water challenges. This interactive session features case studies from four industries, offering insights into overcoming barriers and implementing effective water reuse strategies. Participants will engage in case study analysis exercises, collaborate on solutions, and learn from experts in the field. Ideal for engineers, facility managers, and water resource professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and network with peers. 

Cost: WEF Member: $270.00; Non-Member: $300.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W15 Controlling PFAS by Membrane Technologies

Description: Join our “Controlling PFAS by Membrane Technologies” workshop to explore the role of membrane technologies in addressing PFAS contaminated waters. This workshop covers membrane functionality, application scenarios, and PFAS disposal strategies. By focusing on some real-world water chemistries, attendees will learn and work collaboratively to select solutions to challenges involving the use of membranes to treat PFAS.

Cost: WEF Member: $270.00; Non-Member: $300.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W14 Leveraging Algae to Provide Cost-Effective Treatment Solutions for Your Community

Description: Come learn how to design an algae-based wastewater system to meet strict carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand and nutrient limits, while decreasing energy use, operation and maintenance costs, and greenhouse gas emissions.  Algae-based systems have been operating in the United States for more than 15 years and meeting U.S. EPA NPDES standards. This workshop will offer interactive opportunities with consulting engineers, owners, and manufacturers who will help participants design and implement algae-based wastewater treatment systems. 

Cost: WEF Member: $270.00; Non-Member: $300.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W03 Integrated Flood Planning: Managing the Storms of the Future

Description: As the impacts of climate change continue to lead to oftentimes devastating storms that result in flooding, it is becoming increasingly important for utility managers to plan ahead and be prepared to respond, rather than react, to these events. This workshop equips utility managers with the tools to bridge advanced flood modeling and actionable policies, enabling communities to prepare for and mitigate future flood risks.  

Cost: WEF Member: $270.00; Non-Member: $300.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W16 A Climate Adaptation Workshop: Building a Resilient Future

Description: Communities nationwide are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, which is increasingly straining the resilience of utility systems. This workshop will equip participants with a methodology to assess the potential impacts of climate change, even those beyond their direct experience. By visualizing “what-if” scenarios, participants can explore and evaluate viable adaptation options to address both current and future climate challenges. The workshop will also showcase successful examples of climate adaptation measures.

Cost: WEF Member: $270.00; Non-Member: $300.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W04 Strategies for Measuring and Mitigating Fugitive Methane Emissions

Description: This interactive workshop will focus on providing participants with a foundation on fugitive methane concepts, monitoring methods, and mitigation strategies through applied theory, and will include interactive equipment demonstrations and case studies analysis. Workshop participants will engage with regulators, technology providers, utilities, consultants, the Department of Energy, and universities to better understand different points of views on this highly relevant topic. Interactive demonstrations will provide hands-on engagement with technology providers and data platforms to better understand applications of fugitive methane measurement. 

Cost: WEF Member: $300.00; Non-Member: $330.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W17 Thermal Drying: State of the Practice, Advancements, and Future Applications

Description: Given rising disposal costs and regulations, many utilities are considering biosolids drying to create sustainable solutions. This workshop will unite operators, technologists, and engineers to explore drying technologies, considerations for dryer implementation, and future areas of collaboration. Focus will be given to how dryers can be successfully integrated into existing utility programs and water resource recovery facilities and future considerations for drying technology advancement, including compatibility with PFAS treatment. 

Cost: WEF Member: $270.00; Non-Member: $300.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W05 Thickening Optimization: Process Improvements and Plant Benefits

Description: This workshop will focus on practical solutions to improve thickening performance for primary and waste activated sludge, including achieving thicker solids, better solids capture, reduced polymer consumption, reduced operation and maintenance costs, enhanced biological phosphorus removal, and smaller or more efficient downstream solids handling processes. The workshop will be of primary interest to plant managers, superintendents, operators, and maintenance staff from municipalities. This topic is critical and timely to the industry, as municipalities are feeling more pressure to reduce their budgets or to “do more for less,” in addition to addressing the challenges of increasing polymer and solids processing costs.

Cost: WEF Member: $270.00; Non-Member: $300.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W06 Using Process Simulators for Operator Training and Decision-Making

Description: Process simulators are a valuable teaching tool because they allow water professionals to explore the consequences of operational decisions across a resource recovery facility in an interactive, risk-free way. This workshop will demonstrate the strength of simulators to illustrate fundamental resource recovery concepts to water professionals by offering simulator-based training on:

• use of steady-state and dynamic modeling to assess the impacts of secondary clarifier operation on process performance and
• use of steady-state and dynamic modeling to operate a nitrifying activated sludge system to achieve year-round nitrification.

Cost: WEF Member: $300.00; Non-Member: $330.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W09 WEF and WRF: Practical Application of Instrumentation and Controls for Aeration and Nutrient Removal

Description: This workshop provides training for operators, designers, and utility staff on aeration system components, as well as aeration and nutrient removal controls. The workshop will feature hands-on exercises to explore and reinforce different aeration concepts and control strategies through breakout discussions with posters, group problem-solving scenarios, an interactive app, and computer simulation. Additionally, utility leaders will share their experiences with instrument-based controls for nutrient removal, highlighting performance, operation and maintenance, and costs via a facilitated discussion.

Cost: WEF Member: $300.00; Non-Member: $330.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W13 Game-Based Modeling of Water Resource Recovery Facilities

Description: The objective of this workshop is to provide a high-level understanding of the most widely used, commercially available modeling platforms including BioWin, SUMO, SIMBA#, GPS-X, and WEST for individuals who are interested in learning how models are used and applied for the design, operation, and optimization of water resource recovery facilities. The intent is not to teach the attendees how to use any one software package or build a specific plant model, but rather to demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of all the modeling platforms through an interactive game-based approach. 

W10 WEF and WRF: Planning Your Data and Analytics Roadmap

Description: This workshop is designed to introduce attendees to the concepts of data architecture and governance, information technology/operational technology integration, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) applications and use cases, and workforce skills. The challenges and opportunities associated with advancing the use of automated analytics and artificial intelligence within water resource recovery utilities will be highlighted through hands-on exercises. Participants will develop a roadmap for a specific advanced analytic use case of interest by stepping through a series of guided prompts designed to encourage consideration of foundational digital concepts needed to support advanced analytics and AI/ML applications.

Cost: WEF Member: $270.00; Non-Member: $300.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W18 Transform Your Leadership: A Growth Plan for Everyone

Description: Effective leadership starts with identifying and refining your innate strengths. In this workshop, we’ll guide you in developing a personalized Leadership Development Plan that aligns with your career and personal goals. Through self-assessments, career mapping, and leadership coaching, you’ll gain the insight and tools to progress as a leader. Whether you are new to the wastewater industry or have extensive experience, this workshop is designed to help chart your unique leadership journey. 

Cost: WEF Member: $330.00; Non-Member: $360.00; WEF Student Member: $100.00

W19 Biogas to Renewable Natural Gas: System Startups and Safety Protocols

Description: This workshop will highlight the challenges encountered during the startup and commissioning of two biogas upgrading technologies and lessons learned, with an emphasis on the establishment of safety practices associated with the generation of biogas and upgrading to renewable natural gas. Interactive activities will include a discussion of strategies and equipment used for leak detection and exercises for purging systems out of service for maintenance and service purge training protocols, all with active roles for participants.

Cost: WEF Member: $135.00; Non-Member: $150.00; WEF Student Member: $50.00

W20 Facility Tours: Communicating with Public Officials and the Public (Offsite)

Description: Negative headlines shouldn’t be the reason the public wonders where their wastewater goes. Facility tours provide good publicity and empower your community. What’s more—people want to see the magic of water resource recovery facilities! This workshop focuses on exchanging practical information from seasoned experts (an operator, an engineer, and an educator) to participants new to giving facility tours and/or those who already give tours but desire to make lasting connections with their communities.

Cost: WEF Member: $165.00; Non-Member: $180.00; WEF Student Member: $50.00