Session 1 – September 8, 1-3 p.m. EDT – Rates & Affordability

This session will review rate setting best practices, innovative financing in the U.S. water sector and address one of the most important aspects affecting customers – affordability.

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM EDT

WF&M and Main Event Sponsor Opening Remarks – Andrew Farr, Managing Editor, Water Finance & Management & Chris Hornback, Deputy CEO, NACWA

Getting Started: Planning for Long-term Sustainability in a Time of Uncertainty – Brett Matteo and Samuel Lux, Synario

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Panel Discussion: Affordability: A Community Issue

Are your budgeting and accounting practices aligned with infrastructure cost management? This panel will discuss building affordability into cost of service and how you can support low-income customers through innovative financing and CAPs.

Panelists:

Session 2 – September 10, 1-3 p.m. EDT – Connecting Data Intelligence to Water Finance

Research suggests that new technologies and digital water initiatives can close the water sector’s funding gap.

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM EDT

Getting Started: Data Intelligence and the Impact on Capital Planning Decisions – David Hughes, Independent Water Innovation Specialist

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Panel Discussion: Revenue Recovery Through Data Intelligence

This panel will cover how tech adoption such as AMI impacts a utility’s financial health and future planning/budgeting, examining back-end cost savings, customer advocacy and revenue recovery.

Panelists:

• Keisha Thorpe, P.E., Assistant General Manager-Operations, Clayton County Water Authority
• Russ Titus, Sr. Operations Superintendent, New Jersey American Water
• Kenji Takeuchi, Senior Vice President of Technology Solutions, Mueller Water Products
• David Hughes, Independent Water Innovation Specialist

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Session 3 – September 15, 1-3 p.m. EDT – Funding Federal and State Mandates; EPA Initiatives

Learn about options and resources available to pay for new unfunded mandates; How regulatory action on PFAS, Lead and Copper Rule affects utilities; State SFR set asides/finding new revenue/cheap cost of capital vs reserves, etc. EPA priorities in the coming year, such as the WIFIA program, will be discussed.

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM EDT

Getting Started: A Look at Evolving Federal & State Regulation; EPA Initiatives – Kristina Surfus, Managing Director, Gov’t Affairs, NACWA & Emily Remmel, Director, Regulatory Affairs, NACWA

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Panel Discussion: Addressing Costs Associated with Regulatory Changes

This panel will cover hot button water issues that are evolving as a result of changing regulatory climate. A range of issues will be covered from PFAS to Lead and Copper Rule, etc.

Panelists:

• Megan Glover, Co-Founder & CEO, 120Water
• Nicole Pasch, Client Solutions Manager, Xylem
• Kelly Tucker, Clean Water State Revolving Fund, U.S. EPA
• Nick Chamberlain, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Team Leader, U.S. EPA

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Session 4 – September 17, 1-3 p.m. EDT – Consolidation, Regionalization, Privatization

Considering consolidation, regionalization or privatization? This session will examine the metrics used in determining if a utility can fit into these models. Understand other collaborative options to safeguard your water quality and service delivery for your customers.

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM EDT

Getting Started: Consolidation, Regionalization, Privatization: The Cost-Benefit Question – Jason Mumm, Principal Consultant, FCS GROUP

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Panel Discussion: Public or Private? The Future of Water/Wastewater Management

Will the private/investor-owned utility model be the future of water management? This panel will discuss the potential for private water utilities, partnerships and consolidation, presenting differing viewpoints.  

Panelists:

• Mary-Anna Holden, Commissioner, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
• Andy Kricun, P.E., Managing Director, Moonshot Missions
• Robert F. Powelson, President & CEO, National Association of Water Companies
• Bill Teichmiller, CEO, EJ Water Cooperative, Inc.
• ­Jason Mumm, Principal Consultant, FCS GROUP