BOSTON, MA, June 13, 2014 -- On June 8-12, the American Water Works Association hosted its Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE14) at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, Mass. Considered one of the leading water industry conferences and exhibitions in the nation, the event provided a wide range of valuable resources and opportunities for its numerous attendees.
One such event included the opening keynote address from former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Monday, June 9, who spoke to a standing-room-only crowd of more than 3,000 people and stressed the importance of tackling North America's looming water infrastructure crisis.
Giuliani urged water utility leaders and public officials to be courageous in communicating the need to reinvest in water infrastructure, acknowledging that "sometimes it's a message they don't want to hear, because it's a message that says you're going to have to spend money."
Noting that 1.7 trillion gallons of water is lost through broken or leaking pipes each year, Giuliani stressed that traffic tie-ups from main breaks in large cities are public safety hazards because they impede emergency response times. "Not only are they economic issues, but they are life and death issues," he said.
Accordingly, AWWA President Jim Chaffee, in his Opening General Session address, announced a plan to open an office in India. He also said association will respond to member knowledge and training needs in the areas of water reuse, stormwater and wastewater. He stated that the conference theme, "Uniting the World of Water," speaks to "two important trends: a shrinking world and the merging of the waters."
AWWA Chief Executive Officer David LaFrance also welcomed attendees in a Boston Red Sox jersey and reminded attendees to approach their daily work with optimism and hope. ACE14, continued throughout the week with hundreds of professional sessions and a large exposition showcasing the latest water technologies.
See also:
"The Buzz in Beantown: ACE14 Show Preview"
About AWWA
Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life. For more information, visit www.awwa.org.
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