As the Texas population and economy continue to grow, it is increasingly critical to expand infrastructure to help manage and improve our water supply statewide. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar will discuss the important economic impact of water development projects and the potential effects of water shortages on Texas’ economy.
Global Water Innovations: International Ideas and Accomplishments (1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: L'Oreal Stepney, P.E., Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Daniel Cornel, Ph.D., VRVis Center for Virtual Reality and Visualization Research; David Maidment, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin; Lihy Teuerstein, IDE Water Assets
The need for innovative water solutions and technology spans far beyond Texas and, as a result, other countries are achieving and benefitting from these impactful and inspiring breakthroughs.
Movers and Shakers: Lessons from Leaders at Large Water Utilities (1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Jeff Walker, Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Jenna Covington, P.E., North Texas Municipal Water District; Troy Hayes, P.E., City of Phoenix
Big cities, big water, big challenges. Hear from influential water utility leaders from around the country as they discuss the ins and outs of managing large systems with millions of customers.
Working for Texans: Policy Issues for the 88th Legislative Session(1 hour MCLE available, approved by the State Bar of Texas and 1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Evan Smith, Texas Tribune
Panelists: Charles Perry, Texas Senate District 28; Drew Springer, Texas Senate District 30; Cody Harris, Texas House District 8; Tracy O. King, Texas House District 80
Texas legislators will provide an in-depth discussion on key water policy issues of the upcoming legislative session.
Meeting Milestones: Developments in State Flood Planning (1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Reem Zoun, P.E., Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Glenn Clingenpeel, Trinity River Authority of Texas; Scott Hubley, P.E., Freese and Nichols, Inc.; Omar Martinez, City of El Paso; Suzanne Scott, The Nature Conservancy
The Texas regional flood planning groups have been hard at work developing their plans, due to the TWDB in January, by identifying projects and strategies for the first state flood plan that will ultimately benefit communities across the state.
Determining a Preferred Approach: Selecting and Prioritizing Flood Projects (1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Russ Poppe, P.E., HNTB Corporation
Panelists: Austin Bleess, City of Jersey Village; Jorge Morales, P.E., City of Austin; Jeff Ward, Jeffrey S. Ward & Associates, Inc.
Potential solutions to flooding in Texas require thoughtful consideration of the many available options. How are projects selected, and how do tools like a benefit-cost ratio help make those decisions? Are certain watershed or community flood needs prioritized over other needs? And how is state and federal grant funding prioritized and awarded to make those projects feasible?
Risky Business: Communicating Flood and Drought Risk (1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Sam Marie Hermitte, Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Newsha Ajami, Ph.D., Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; John Honoré, Texas Division of Emergency Management; Keri Stephens, Ph.D., Technology & Information Policy Institute at The University of Texas at Austin
Flood and drought are key components in Texas water policy but communicating about them is challenging. Experts in this space will share strategies to effectively communicate to the public and how to shape crucial messaging to motivate behavioral changes.
Taking Initiative: Innovative Flood Infrastructure Fund Projects (1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: George B. Peyton V, Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Jose Landeros, El Paso County; Mark Mann, P.E., Sabine River Authority of Texas; Edith Marvin, P.E., North Central Texas Council of Governments; Graciela Salinas, Cameron County
It is more important than ever that communities take action to protect people and property from damaging flood events. The Flood Infrastructure Fund provides financial assistance for flood control, flood mitigation, and drainage projects. Hear from communities using this funding source to carry out their innovative flood projects.
Cutting Our Losses: The Role of Water Loss Validation(1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Will Jernigan, P.E., Cavanaugh and Associates, P.A.
Panelists: Andrew Chastain-Howley, Black & Veatch; Cayton Germany, Crystal Clear Special Utility District; Christine Voudy, Georgia Environmental Protection Division
Water loss validation is becoming a common requirement in other states. Discover the role that water loss validation plays—or could play—in water resource planning and management in Texas.
What’s that Smell? Improving Cybersecurity Hygiene (1 hour MCLE available, approved by the State Bar of Texas and 1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Brooke T. Paup, Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Ernesto Ballesteros, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; Doug Short, Trinity River Authority of Texas; Jeremy Wilson, Texas Department of Information Resources
Like many critical infrastructure sectors, the water industry faces increased cybersecurity risks. There is a growing need to understand cybersecurity best practices, recognize types of threats and how to protect against them, and identify the actions that need to be taken when an incident occurs.
Data, Data, Everywhere: Harnessing Its Power for Water(1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Manuel Razo, Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Kristine Blickenstaff, P.E., U.S. Geological Survey; Suzanne Pierce, Ph.D., Texas Disaster Information System; Gregory Waller, National Weather Service West Gulf River Forecast Center
Data is essential to every facet of understanding, planning, and managing Texas water resources, though we rarely consider its lifecycle. Learn about identifying, collecting, maintaining, and disseminating data; converting it into information that benefits stakeholders; and current practical applications benefitting the state.
Flood Data Mapping: Bringing the Future to Texas (1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Richard Wade, Texas Water Development Board
Presenter: Daniel Cornel, Ph.D., VRVis Center for Virtual Reality and Visualization Research
Texas has seen significant improvements in flood mapping in recent years, but there is still opportunity for innovation and new technologies. Dr. Daniel Cornel of Austria will explain and demonstrate the science behind the groundbreaking flood simulation and geospatial visualization technology, Visdom, being used abroad.
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: The Influence of Reservoir Evaporation on Water Supply (1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Dagmar Llewellyn, Bureau of Reclamation
Panelists: Huilin Gao, Ph.D., Texas A&M University; Kelly Payne, P.E., Lower Colorado River Authority; Maxwell Strickler, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Technological advances, such as on-water monitoring platforms and remote sensing, have the potential to enhance traditional reservoir evaporation datasets and assist in water supply planning. Experts will weigh in on current and new initiatives to understand the relationship between reservoir evaporation, current water availability, and long-term water supply.
FIRO: Proactive Measures to Optimize a Reservoir’s Usage (1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Carla G. Guthrie, Ph.D., Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Aaron Abel, Brazos River Authority; Jerry Cotter, P.E., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; David Curtis, Ph.D., WEST Consultants; Kris Lander, P.E., National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Forecast-informed reservoir operation (FIRO) is an alternative management strategy that uses weather and seasonal climate forecasts to improve water supply reliability, flood preparedness, and hydropower generation. Experts will discuss the challenges and successes associated with integrating this strategy and the importance of collaboration between water entities for the success of FIRO.
Produced Water: What Goes Down May Come Up (1 hour MCLE available, approved by the State Bar of Texas and 1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Natalie Ballew, P.G., Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Jason Modglin, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers; Bridget Scanlon, Ph.D., P.G., The University of Texas, Bureau of Economic Geology; Rusty Smith, Texas Produced Water Consortium
Recent earthquake swarms across West Texas and uncontrolled geysers and sinkholes in the Permian Basin put a spotlight on produced water injection issues in our state. Even so, produced water remains a topic of interest as a potential water supply. Panelists will take a hard look at produced water, its unintended consequences, and feasibility for other uses.
What’s on Tap: Hot Topics in Texas Water (1 hour MCLE available, approved by the State Bar of Texas and 1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Jeff Walker, Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Leah Martinsson, Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts; Stacey Allison Steinbach, Texas Water Conservation Association; Lara Zent, Texas Rural Water Association
The water challenges in Texas are as diverse as its geography, but established organizations are working to ensure these challenges stay top of mind. Leaders of Texas water organizations representing various interests will share insights on the key issues and hot topics their organizations and stakeholders face as Texas commences its 88th Legislative Session.
Closing the Evaluation, Metrics, and Communication Gap in Corporate Water Sustainability (1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Joni Carswell, Texan by Nature
Panelists: Brian Epperson, Hess Corporation; Edwin Piñero, EcoMetrics LLC; Audrey Templeton, P.E., Molson Coors Beverage Company
Local conservation projects and nature-based considerations can play a key role in corporate water sustainability strategies. However, there’s often confusion in selection, measurement, implementation, and reporting. Organization representatives will provide insights into their best practices, tools, and strategies for successful collaborations and nature-based solutions.
Texas Runs on Water: Notes from the Field (1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Brianna Fuller, Texas Water Foundation
Panelists: Floyd Hartman, City of Amarillo; Paula Paciorek, Houston Public Works; Valerie Salinas-Davis, University of Texas at Austin
How do you inspire Texans to care about the future of Texas water? Texas Water Foundation’s statewide water campaign, “Texas Runs on Water,” is working to answer that question with a combination of Texan pride, a cohesive marketing plan, a network of affiliate water partners, corporate brands and support, data experts, and innovative social media strategies.
Finding a Balance: Groundwater Availability in Texas (1 hour MCLE available, approved by the State Bar of Texas and 1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: John Dupnik, P.G., Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Billy Howe, Texas Farm Bureau; Robert Mace, Ph.D., P.G., Meadows Center for Water and the Environment; Charles Porter, Ph.D., St. Edward's University; Gary Westbrook, Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District
In Texas, groundwater availability for state water planning can present conflicting priorities. How do we find the sweet spot between preserving the resource and maximizing future availability, while also weighing socioeconomics, private property rights, and sustainability?
Alternative Water Supplies: Slow and Steady Wins the Race?(1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Lorrie Council, P.G., Ground Water Protection Council
Panelists: Neil Deeds, Ph.D., P.E., P.G., INTERA, Inc.; Brian Perkins, P.E., Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority; Esteban Ramos, Corpus Christi Water
Desalination and aquifer storage and recovery, expected to become more widespread in the coming decades, are recommended in the state water plan but typically require time-consuming, methodical planning and testing up front. Communities pursuing or implementing these alternative water supplies will share the benefits and challenges of these strategies, as well as how data factors into the decision-making process.
Making Every Drop Count: An Integrated Water Management Approach (1 hour MCLE available, approved by the State Bar of Texas and 1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Jennifer Walker, Texas Coast and Water Program at the National Wildlife Federation
Panelists: Damian Higham, Denver Water; Sharlene Leurig, Texas Water Trade; Daniel Nix, City of Wichita Falls
A “one water” approach requires thinking comprehensively about how water is used in a community and considering ways to collectively manage the water supply. There has never been a better time to explore the opportunities, considerations, and challenges of integrated water management in Texas and beyond.
Lead and Emerging Contaminants: Funding and Guidance for Texas Water Projects (1 hour CEC available, approved by the TFMA)
Moderator: Salvador Gandara, Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6
Panelists: Alyssa Azari, Texas Water Development Board; Chris Harder, P.E., City of Fort Worth; Michele Risko, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
The reduction and removal of lead service lines and other contaminants in water is a nationwide issue, and there is dedicated funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to support clean water projects. While the extent of these issues in Texas may still be unknown, one thing’s for sure: investing in projects will require education and close collaboration between the EPA, states, and local communities.