More than 150 industry, water utility and government participants attended the fourth International Emerging Technology Symposium recently held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va., in the heart of the nation’s capital.
“The Symposium provided excellent opportunities to hear firsthand about ideas and approaches regarding emerging technologies coming to market and learning about green plumbing and mechanical concepts,” said GP Russ Chaney, CEO of The IAPMO Group, one of numerous co-conveners of the event. “The forum provided the water utility, manufacturing, engineering, and trade industries to meaningfully engage in timely discussions as to how find practical solutions through those emerging technologies.”
Co-convened by such well known international organizations as the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH), the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC), Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI), the United Association (UA), and the World Plumbing Council (WPC), the event gathered acknowledged experts in the fields of water and energy efficiency to discuss the areas of their expertise and share insights.
The plumbing, mechanical and water efficiency industries face significant challenges, best addressed through discussion and the sharing of information. The two-day symposium addressed water and sanitation issues such as: “Regulatory Barriers to Implementing Legionella Controls”; “Bio Aerosols in Building Drainage Plumbing Systems”; and “Solid Transportation in Near Horizontal Drain Lines.” A bonus for the participants was three excellent panel discussions on “Legionella and Risk Management,“ “Emerging Issues and Solutions on Waste Water “ and a lively session on “Where Technology Meets Policy.”
Holding the symposium in Washington, D.C., allowed the co-conveners to engage with several important government officials in our collective efforts to find solutions and continue to build industry/government partnerships. Nancy Stoner, acting assistant administrator, Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Stephanie Tanner, lead engineer, EPA’s WaterSense®, provided important overviews on the government’s role in implementing water efficiency policy and requirements as emerging technologies continue to grow on a national and global scale.
The entire symposium program can be viewed here.
The fifth International Emerging Technology Symposium is planned for Spring 2016 in Chicago and will continue to build on what is known already, introduce new concepts, increase knowledge and facilitate the achievement of goals toward ensuring future generations will have plentiful access to clean drinking water.
Last modified: June 9, 2014