Water Quality Conference To Focus on Urban Water

Now in its second year, Urban Water Management, sponsored by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the City of Independence, MO, Water Pollution Control (WPC) Department, the Kansas City Water Services Department (KCMO), and the International Private Water Association (IPWA), will provide a venue for the discussion of the latest technologies and techniques for controlling urban water runoff, protecting urban streams and watersheds, controlling and preventing sewer overflows, and complying with environmental regulations.

The Urban Water Management conference, to be held March 24-26 in Overland Park, KS, is designed to help local, regional and state water quality officials develop an integrated approach to management of water in an urban setting. A broad range of topics will be covered, including Best Management Practices, BMP research & testing, stormwater treatment & control, watershed management, low impact development, wetland restoration, and erosion control.

Opening General Session

On Tuesday, March 24, the opening general session of Urban Water Management will feature three presentations, beginning with a welcome address by Dick Champion, director of the Independence Water Pollution Control Department. Having begun his career in water pollution control in 1969, Champion has been with the City of Independence, MO, Water Pollution Control Department for over 29 years and has been Director of the department since 1983. Champion is also Chairman of the newly formed Clean Water America Alliance, an organization that seeks to improve public awareness of water sustainability issues, promoting holistic, watershed-based approaches to water quality and quantity challenges.

Ken Kirk, executive director of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) since 1990, will deliver opening remarks. Kirk, who in the past has held positions with EPA and WEF, recently helped found and serves as president of the Clean Water America Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

G. Tracy Mehan III, a principal with The Cadmus Group Inc., will deliver the keynote presentation at Urban Water Management. Prior to joining Cadmus Group, Mehan served as Assistant Administrator for Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from 2001-2003. He also served as director of the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes (1993-2001) and as Associate Deputy Administrator of EPA in 1992. Presently, Mehan serves on the Water Science and Technology Board and the Committee on the Mississippi River and the Clean Water Act for the National Research Council of the National Academies.

Conference Program

Designed with engineers, consultants, regulatory groups, municipal employees, watershed/stormwater program managers, and contractors in mind, Urban Water Management will feature a comprehensive conference program covering many of the issues faced by today’s urban water managers. The three-day conference agenda will be packed with informative presentations from industry experts from across the country. Session topics include: CSO/SSO Control; Hydraulic Modeling; Detention/Retention Design; Erosion Control; Capital Improvement Planning; Stormwater BMP Testing & Research; Low Impact Development; Stormwater Program Management; Best Management Practices (BMPs); Green Infrastructure; Watershed Management; Water Quality Monitoring; Stormwater Treatment; and Regulatory & Compliance Issues.

Pre-Conference Workshops

In addition to the 45 technical sessions, a pre-conference flood-modeling workshop will be available to attendees. Integrated Flood Modeling, instructed by Colby Manwaring, XP Software, will provide an overview of modeling principles and practical application of modeling to solve complex flooding problems.

A pre-conference Certified Inspector of Sediment and Erosion Control (CISEC) review course will also be offered, along with the accompanying examination. CISEC is a nationwide certification program that recognizes the abilities, skills, experience and knowledge of inspectors who have demonstrated proficiency in observing, inspecting and reporting on the implementation of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs).

Both of these pre-conference workshops will be held on March 23, with the CISEC exam taking place March 24.

Exhibit Floor

On the exhibit floor, attendees will have an opportunity to check out some of the latest urban water technologies and network with industry peers. Exhibitors at Urban Water Management include: AquaShield, Brentwood Industries, CrystalStream Technologies, Howard R. Green Co., Hydro International, OneRain, Stormwater Systems, and many more. For a complete list of exhibitors, visit www.urbanwatermgt.com.

Urban Water Management 2009 is sponsored in part by NACWA, Independence WPC, KCMO, IPWA, CI Agent Solutions, Environment 21, Myron L Company, and StormTrap. For more information on Urban Water Management 2009 or to register, please visit www.urbanwatermgt.com.WW