About

Presented by the ISA Water and Wastewater Industries Division, in collaboration with the WEF Intelligent Water Technology Committee and the Chesapeake AWWA Section, the WWAC Symposium helps professionals in the water and wastewater industries understand how instrumentation, SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition), and automatic control applications are vital to the treatment and distribution of water; the collection and treatment of wastewater; and the management of stormwater. The symposium also provides an excellent opportunity to gain valuable technical information, networking, professional development, and continuing education credits (CEUs and PDHs).

The 2018 ISA Water/Wastewater Symposium will be held at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda, near Washington DC. This newly renovated hotel offers luxury accommodations and is located right next to the US Capitol. This 3-day symposium is focused on the challenges associated with automation and instrumentation in the water and wastewater sectors. It features 2 full days of presentations (two speaking tracks), a tour of a local water/wastewater facility, a general reception, networking events, a poster session, and a supplier showcase.

It features:

  • 2 full days of speakers/presentations
    • Track 1 – Instrumentation, Automation, System Integration, Plant Case Studies, New Technologies, Process Optimization, Wireless, Cybersecurity
    • Track 2 – IIoT, Industry 4.0, Smart Cities, HMI, Intelligent Water, Alarm Management
  • Plant Tour of a local treatment facility
  • Trade Show, Reception & Networking Event
  • 1-day ISA Training Course
  • 2-day ISA Training Course
  • Affordable Professional Development for Plant Operations/Maintenance Staff, Plant Managers, Plant Designers, Engineers, System Integrators
  • CEUs – Continuing Education Units
  • PDHs – Professional Development Hours
  • Approved CEUs/PDHs for licensed water & wastewater operators and engineers

Symposium Location, Size and Target Audience

The symposium is taking the show on the road and holding the event just outside of Washington D.C. in Bethesda, Maryland during the first part of August. The symposium is a “niche conference” that caters specifically to the needs of automation professionals, technicians and engineers in the water and wastewater sectors.  With a typical attendance of 200-300 people each year, the ISA WWAC symposium  routinely welcome attendees from USA, Canada, and Mexico, as well as from abroad.

The symposium was recently relocated to Washington D.C. to allow better access to all of the water/wastewater professionals in the Northeast region with easy access to the location. Additionally, the Washington D.C. area makes for a great tourist destination to allow attendees to bring family with them to visit the U.S. capital along with its many museums.  The symposium organizing committee sees value in our “niche format” because it allows for a very focused, worthwhile event where all the participants get a chance to get to know each other.

The symposium will be heading back to its traditional location in Orlando, Florida in 2019 as we begin alternating Orlando, FL with other locations around the world to allow the event to reach many new attendees to bring further value to attendees, exhibitors and sponsors.

History of the Symposium

The 2018 WWAC Symposium marks the fifteenth time that the symposium has been held with its current focus. In fact, the symposium has been an annual conference since 2003.  The symposium organizing and program committees consist of a wide range of dedicated individuals, from across the industry, who bring a mix of both seasoned experience and new ideas.

About the ISA Water/Wastewater  Industries Division

The ISA Water and Wastewater Industries Division (WWID) is concerned with all aspects of instrumentation and automated-control related to commercial and public systems associated with water and wastewater management. Membership in the WWID provides the latest news and information relating to instrumentation and control systems in water and wastewater management, including water processing and distribution, as well as wastewater collection and treatment. The division holds an annual symposium that features presentations by industry practitioners and published proceedings. More information can be found at www.isa.org/wwid/.

About the ISA

Founded in 1945, the International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts conferences and exhibitions for automation professionals. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).