Population Growth in Texas: A Glimpse into the Future Keynote Speaker: Lloyd B. Potter, Ph.D.

As the Lone Star State continues to flourish, there is an emphasis on the importance of continued investment in water infrastructure to accommodate the booming population. Texas Demographer Dr. Lloyd Potter will reveal the demographic trends and projections in the state and the impacts on water's future.

From Screen to Stream: The Impact of Art, Film, and Storytelling Moderator: Sarah Rountree Schlessinger, Texas Water Foundation
Panelists: Ben Masters, Fin and Fur Films; Jay Kleberg, Gulf of Mexico Trust

An inspiring panel of impact-driven Texans focused on how art, film, and storytelling can resonate with audiences, influence water awareness and conservation and, ultimately, drive behavior change. Distinguished filmmakers Ben Masters and Jay Kleberg will candidly discuss their experiences and encourage Texas water leaders to welcome a new perspective on how to reach their communities.

Tomorrow's Texas: Thirst for Growth Meets Water Supply Realities Moderator: Brooke T. Paup, Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Alia Vinson, Allen Boone Humphries Robinson, LLP; Scott Norman, Texas Association of Builders; Robert Allen, Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership; Zac Rosenbaum, Samsung Austin Semiconductor

Developers, manufacturers, and water providers will come together to discuss some of the state’s growing pains in the context of water resources and water infrastructure development.

Hot Topics in Texas Water: Forging a New Frontier Moderator: L'Oreal Stepney, P.E., Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Stacey Allison Steinbach, Texas Water Conservation Association; Lara Zent, Texas Rural Water Association; Heather Harward, Texas Water Supply Partners

The water challenges in Texas are as diverse as its geography. Join water leaders from a variety of Texas organizations to share insights on the key issues and hot topics facing Texas.

The Texas Water Fund & Priorities for the 89th Legislative Session Moderator: Bryan McMath, Texas Water Development Board
Panelist: Charles Perry, Texas Senate District 28

An in-depth discussion between Chairman Charles Perry and TWDB Executive Administrator Bryan McMath on key water policy issues of the upcoming legislative session.

The Past, Present, and Future of Direct Potable Reuse in Texas Moderator: Ellen McDonald, Ph.D., P.E., Plummer
Panelists: Allison Strube, P.E., Colorado River Municipal Water District; Gilbert Trejo, P.E., El Paso Water; David Thomison, City of Liberty Hill

According to the 2022 State Water Plan, reuse accounted for nearly 4 percent of total water supplies for Texas in 2020 and is expected to grow to approximately 14 percent by 2070. Implementing direct potable reuse contributes significantly toward a sustainable water future for Texas. Learn how some Texas communities have implemented this water supply strategy and explore critical factors that impact its success.

Filtered Down: Exploring Wastewater Reclamation for Aquifer Management Moderator: Lorrie Council, P.G., Ground Water Protection Council
Panelists: Kelly Keel, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Justin Mattingly, Environmental Protection Agency; Michael Milczarek, GeoSystems Analysis, Inc.

Water scarcity is one of the greatest challenges we face today, requiring a variety of approaches to anticipate and meet the needs of future generations. Ongoing drought, increased water demand, and population growth continue to stress aquifer and groundwater supplies across the state. Join panelists to discuss why there aren't more wastewater reclamation projects in Texas and how pairing reclaimed wastewater with aquifer recharge and aquifer storage and recovery could address mounting water demands.

Leading the Way: A Texas-Sized Flood Planning Effort Moderator: Reem Zoun, P.E., Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Tina Petersen, Ph.D., P.E., Harris County Flood Control District; Jack Krolikowski, American Flood Coalition; Travis Pruski, Nueces River Authority; Baukje 'Bee' Kothuis, Ph.D., Netherlands Business Support Office, Texas

Texas leads the nation with its groundbreaking inaugural state flood plan. The unique, bottom-up process has revealed important data about flood risk, solutions, and implementation costs. This panel will discuss the plan’s flood risk management recommendations aimed at reducing loss of life and property due to flooding and will compare practices from other states and abroad.

Nature-based Solutions: New Shades of Green Infrastructure Moderator: Kelley Rich, P.E., Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Charriss York, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service; Jonathan Holley, Harris County Flood Control District; Krista Bethune Melnar, P.E., Freese and Nichols, Inc.; Joshua Oyer, Texas General Land Office

Nature-based solutions can build a community's flood resiliency, enhance water quality, and improve the overall quality of life in a watershed. This panel will provide an update on the TWDB‘s statewide guidance manual on the application of nature-based solutions for flood mitigation in Texas, discuss opportunities and challenges of implementing these solutions, and share insights and experiences from practitioners across the state.

Could You, Would You, Should You? Perspectives on Groundwater Exportation Moderator: Natalie Ballew, P.G., Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Natasha Martin, Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody, PC; Shannon Rutherford, Terrill & Waldrop; Jeremy Mazur, Texas 2036

From dry, arid hills to humid bayous and wetlands, Texas' landscape represents 10 diverse ecoregions and massive variations in water availability, population, and development. This panel will deliberate how water can be moved to where it’s needed as well as the feasibility and implications that should be considered, such as future needs and impacts to local economies.

Reuniting the Hydrologic Cycle: Groundwater-Surface Water Interaction Moderator: John T. Dupnik, P.G., Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Robert Mace, Ph.D., P.G., Meadows Center for Water and the Environment; Sharlene Leurig, Texas Water Trade; Carlos Rubinstein, RSAH2O, LLC; Alan Day, Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District

Groundwater and surface water are interconnected and interactive in many parts of Texas. However, this relationship is not always reflected in how we measure, manage, and allocate our water resources, from water rights and laws to planning to technical tools; these waters are treated differently. What can we do to better understand the intimate connection between our aquifers, lakes, and rivers? Join this discussion to explore the challenges of managing separated waters and the opportunities to reunite the hydrologic cycle to ensure a secure water future for Texas.

Bridging Data Silos: Collaboration in the Water Sector Moderator: Taylor Christian, Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Gregory Waller, National Weather Service West Gulf River Forecast Center; Ben Eldredge, Cibolo Conservancy; Stacy Timmons, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

In a state where we are continuously facing critical water issues, imagine the future we could unlock with better decision-making through data and collaboration. Reliable data allows us to work with greater certainty, efficiency, and impact. Find out how these panelists are using water data to make informed decisions and, more importantly, how they are building partnerships to make accessing data easier.

#Twinning: Mirroring the Real World with GIS Moderator: Richard Wade, Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Suzanne Pierce, Ph.D., Texas Disaster Information System; Keith Owens, Fugro; Elizabeth Savage, P.E., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Texas Community Watershed Partners Project Office

From schools and water treatment plants to other essential infrastructure and flood mitigation applications, the ability to create a real-time digital representation—or digital twin—is revolutionizing many industries with this advanced technology. With new data to improve systems and planning, the opportunities for the water sector are endless. This discussion will look at examples of digital twins in action and explore the challenges and benefits of implementing this tool.

Dr. Ecosystem: Improving Health and Providing Benefits Moderator: Sam Marie Hermitte, Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Vanessa Puig-Williams, Environmental Defense Fund; Karl Flocke, Texas A&M Forest Service; Matthew Berg, Ph.D., Simfero

Ecosystem restoration projects can improve the health of watersheds and provide measurable benefits to communities, even as development and population growth put a strain on natural resources and the environment. This panel of experts will explore the broad ways ecosystem services and collaborations bring value to Texas and the economy.

Environmental Transactions: Evaluating the Texas Water Trust Moderator: Ron Ellis, Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Kyle Garmany, The Nature Conservancy; Marty Kelly, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Myron Hess, Law Office of Myron Hess PLLC

Increasing water scarcity has contributed to declining streamflow, aquifer levels, and inflows to bay and estuary systems that threaten Texas freshwater and estuarine ecosystems. The Texas Water Trust is a tool to increase voluntary environmental flow protections but has experienced limited success in its nearly 30 years. Most recently, the 87th Legislature (2021) authorized the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to encourage and facilitate dedications of water rights to the Trust. This panel will provide an overview of the Texas Water Trust, shedding light on its development and challenges, and discuss future opportunities to achieve its goals.

What Lies Beneath: Updates on Lead Inventories and Funding Moderator: Scott Galaway, Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Laura Higgins, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Jonathan Cuppett, 120Water

Attend this session for an update on the results of Texas' lead service line inventories, what to expect with the new lead and copper rule, and considerations around PFAS and other emerging contaminants. Panelists will share opportunities and success stories and discuss the path forward to fund and implement projects.

Investing Capital: PPPs Funding the Future Moderator: Jorianne Jernberg, Environmental Protection Agency
Panelists: Michael Irlbeck, EPCOR; Stephen Auton-Smith, Ernst & Young Infrastructure Advisors, LLC; Michael Esparza, City of Alice

Rising costs of infrastructure, increasing water demands, and governmental constraints have led to greater need for non-traditional financing structures. Public-private partnerships have grown in popularity as a method to leverage private-sector funds to meet public needs, but there are few such partnerships in Texas to implement imperative water projects. This session will explore how Texas communities can pursue collaborations to develop water infrastructure projects and how project risks and responsibilities can be negotiated.

The Water-Energy Nexus: Balancing Water Needs with Hydrogen Production Moderator: Margaret Cook, Ph.D., Houston Advanced Research Center
Panelists: Susan Shifflett, Texas Hydrogen Alliance; Emily Beagle, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin; Jason Coleman, High Plains Underground Water Conservation District #1

Water is used in all phases of energy production and electricity generation, and hydrogen is expected to play a vital role in the future of energy systems. Texas is well positioned to lead the nation in hydrogen development with federal funding spurring new hydrogen plants in water-stressed areas of the state. Panelists will discuss hydrogen production's impacts on water resources and systems.

Back to the Innovation Future: Chief Innovation Officers Behind the Wheel Moderator: Tonya Miller, Texas Water Development Board
Panelists: Robert Bornhofen, Ph.D., DC Water; Tanja Rauch-Williams, Ph.D., P.E., Metro Water Recovery

Investing in innovation can help the water sector compete with tomorrow's growth and lay the foundational framework to inspire innovative thinking. Hear from chief innovation officers at forward-thinking water utilities and learn how they’re driving opportunities for innovation to improve effectiveness, meet workforce needs and expectations, and reduce costs.

The One Water Movement: Gaining Momentum in Texas Moderator: Mami Hara, US Water Alliance
Panelists: Marisa Bruno, Hill Country Alliance; Jenna Walker, Meadows Center for Water and the Environment; Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E., Austin Water

One Water is a holistic management approach that works to utilize every drop of water and is making strides in Texas. Attend this session to learn how One Water applications can benefit your water system, your community, and the state's overall water supplies. Explore current One Water trends and the vision for a sustainable water future beyond our lifetimes.

Give Them Something to Talk About: Extraordinary Tactics to Engage Your Audience Moderator: Samantha Villegas, Raftelis
Panelists: John Gonzalez, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District; Kelley Dearing-Smith, Louisville Water; John Kmiec, Tucson Water

Attend this session to learn how unique approaches, such as artists-in-residence programs and wall murals, can build trust in the community, broaden your audience, and initiate conversations about the importance of water. Also learn how investing in an effective communications team can lead to impactful strategic outreach efforts that can improve public perception and help address sensitive subjects.

Pass the Salt: Deciphering Desalination Moderator: Tom Pankratz, Global Water Intelligence
Panelists: Shane Walker, Ph.D., P.E., Texas Tech University; Charles Ortiz, P.E., Laguna Madre Water District; Art Ruiz, El Paso Water

Brackish groundwater and seawater are largely untapped water sources with great potential. As more communities consider brackish and/or seawater desalination as a strategy to meet future water needs, there are some challenges to overcome. This panel will examine the role of desalination in Texas' water future and the technologies and innovations that shape its path to implementation.

Technology Toolbox: Water Management in the Digital Age Moderator: Barry Liner, Ph.D., P.E., The Water Council
Panelists: Greg Eyerly, Houston Public Works; Richard Loeffler, Xylem; Ali Mostafavi, Ph.D., P.E., Texas A&M University

This panel will examine the potential of AI and the adoption of digital tools in water management. Many industries are considering the integration of digital twin technology, drones, and other innovations to solve complex issues while recognizing the need for effective data management and robust cybersecurity. Experts will discuss the risks of technological stagnation and share practical advice for embracing digital advancements.