ACE26 in Washington D.C. was phenomenal and AWWA is already planning for next year's conference in San Diego, California from June 13-16, 2027. The conference is currently accepting abstracts for presentations on a wide variety of topics and presentation styles!
Presentation opportunities range from the standard 20-minute conference presentation to quick 5-minute special topic poster sessions (new to ACE27!) We'd love to see Virginia Section members present on the West Coast! Resources, guidelines, timelines, and FAQs are available on the ACE27 website.
Abstracts are due by Thursday, September 10, 2026.
36th Annual Water Distribution Seminar and Utility Rodeo
October 5 - 7, 2026
Newport News, VA
Hosted by the Distribution Systems Committee, this traditional "hands-on" seminar is designed to provide distribution system personnel with practical information on relevant subjects. The ever-popular Utility Rodeo provides various utility-related competitive events in which participants compete against fellow utility personnel in demonstrations of skill, speed, and safety.
Virginia Section AWWA members will receive a discount of $25 and free event t-shirt when you register before September 1st.
Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are available!
All attendees are responsible for their own lodging arrangements. A block of rooms has been reserved at a special rate of $110. This rate expires September 11 or when the block is full; whichever comes first.
Excellence in Customer Service:
A Water Sector
Certification Training
December 3 - 4, 2026
Newport News, VA
This training from AWWA focuses on communication and customer service, but participants will also learn the basics of water treatment and utility operations and deepen their understanding of what it takes to deliver quality water every day.
Facilitated by Jim Ginley, the Primary Author of the AWWA Customer Service Training Program, participants will leave with new skills and perspective in addition to their AWWA Customer Service Certification. Sign up today to save your spot in this exciting new training!
Calling all Water and Wastewater treatment plants! Join us at WaterJAM for the 5th Annual WaterJAM Biosolids and Residuals Beauty Contest! The Water Residuals category is returning to the contest and is ready for utilities to showcase the great work happening at drinking water treatment plants across the Commonwealth.
Bring a sample of your stabilized biosolids or dewatered residuals and compete in one or more categories:
Class A Biosolids (fresh/unblended)
Class A Biosolids (enhanced)
Class B Biosolids (stabilized)
Water Residuals (fresh/unblended)
Best in Presentation
Entering is simple! Just bring your biosolids or residuals sample a jar/bag/box/sample bottle/vessel of your choice, no more than 500 – 1000 mL (to ensure adequate space for all entries). For the “Best in Presentation Award” contestants are encouraged to be as creative as possible with the displays to show off the material (inspiration photos above!)
Entries are due by 9am Wednesday, September 16 to the competition table just inside the exhibit hall. Judging will take place between 9 and 10:30am with winners announced during the 10:45am morning break!
Click the button below for full details or contact Stephanie Spalding with any specific questions.
The Water Reach committee is requesting donations for their silent auction again this year. Proceeds from the auction support the committee's mission to ensure safe drinking water and proper sanitation for communities throughout Virginia with a special focus on small systems.
Last year's Annual Water Reach Auction at WaterJAM helped support a small community in Jerdone Island, Virginia by completing an asset inventory and providing a grant to repair and purchase essential water system equipment.
Donated items can include plants, homemade items, decor, swag baskets, gift cards, experience, and more! If you would like to donate an item to this year’s silent auction, please email Gregory Prelewicz (gprelewicz@fairfaxwater.org) and Ha Dao (hdao@rkk.com). Please include provide a brief description of the item, send a digital photo, and provide a suggested value of the donated item.
Eddy's journey to WaterJAM continues! His friends at Gloucester Public Utilities kept him busy traveling to different sites and meeting new faces! Eddy joined one of their crews as they installed a new water meter, checked out the fire hydrant outside of Gloucester Volunteer Fire & Rescue, enjoyed the views of the reservoir at Beaverdam Park, and climbed a water tower! Check out a video of his Gloucester adventure here!
After Gloucester, Eddy traveled to the Northern parts of the State to visit with his friends at Fairfax Water! He had a wonderful time visiting the Tysons Pump Station with them. He even pitched in to check the pump oil, take in the view, and even checked out the tennis court on top of the facility! Of course, Eddy was wearing proper PPE because safety is always a priority!
Thanks to Fairfax Water and Gloucester Public Utilities for showing Eddy around and helping to make his journey to WaterJAM so fun! We can't wait to see what adventures await him at his next stop!
Don't forget to stop by the Virginia Section AWWA membership pavillion in the exhibit hall at WaterJAM to visit Eddy, hear about his journey, and see all of his traveling souvenirs!
Like what you see? Turn your Virginia Section AWWA membership activities into great gear! Submit your volunteer activities and redeem your points for member exclusive swag.
PS You'll want to submit those points before JAM for a chance to win a the grand prize $500 gift card!
Submit by August 31st to be eligible for this year's random drawings and to pick up your swag at WaterJAM!
