November 24, 2014
University Municipal Water Consortium Conference
January 28, 2015 – The University of Texas at Austin
Pecan Street is excited to announce the agenda for the university municipal water consortium’s winter technical workshop to be held January 28, 2015 on The University of Texas campus in Austin.
The one-day workshop is open to consortium members. Members include Texas water providers, companies and universities. Already, more than 25 water providers serving the state’s nine largest metro areas have joined with UT and Texas A&M. The purpose of the consortium’s applied research is to help member utilities accelerate development of new infrastructure and demand management investments.
The consortium has three areas of focus:
- water supply infrastructure
- distribution and management (including metering and leak detection)
- conservation and use reduction
At the January workshop, members will work together to finalize the coming year’s applied research plan. Each session will start with a panel of utilities that have already carried out infrastructure projects and procured services in these subject areas. Members will also receive a comprehensive guide on what water utilities throughout Texas are already doing in these areas and who the key points of contact are within the utility.
Below is the conference agenda, followed by a registration form. We hope to see you in Austin on January 28.
Conference Agenda
January 28, 2015 – The University of Texas at Austin – Student Activity Center
Legislative Assembly Room, 2.302, 2201 Speedway
8:30 – 9 am
Breakfast and Welcome
9 – 9:30 am
Keynote, State Funding Work Session
Presentation by Chairman Carlos Rubinstein, Texas Water Development Board
9:30 – 11 am
Work Session 1: Conservation and Use Reduction
Moderated by Brewster McCracken, CEO, Pecan Street
Topics to be covered include: adoption programs, use programs, new rate structures, outdoor water restrictions, landscaping requirements, and emerging technologies. Panelists include:
- Nora Mullarkey, Conservation Manager, Lower Colorado River Authority
- Gail Donaldson, Water Conservation Manager, City of Allen
- Kelly Brumbelow, Professor of Water Resources Engineering, Texas A&M
- Dana Nichols, Conservation Manager, San Antonio Water System
- Hank Smith, Director, Homebuilders Association of Greater Austin
- Robert Mace, Deputy Executive Administrator, Texas Water Development Board
11 – 11:30 am
Coffee Break & Networking
11:30 am – 12:15 pm
Briefing from State Climatologist
Presentation by Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas State Climatologist
12:15 – 1:15 pm
Lunch
1:15 – 1:30 pm
Residential Water Use Index
Presentation by Brewster McCracken, CEO, Pecan Street
1:30 – 3 pm
Work Session 2: Water Distribution and Management
Moderator: Kevin Wagner, Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas A&M
Topics to be covered include: leak detection in utility infrastructure, advanced metering, and impacts of conservation on utility infrastructure. Panelists include:
- Dustan Compton, Conservation Program Coordinator, Arlington Water Utilities, City of Arlington
- Tommy McClung, Assistant Director, City of Houston
- Celia Eaves, Environmental Services Director, Texas Rural Water Association
- Michael Thane, Utilities and Environmental Services Department Director, City of Round Rock
3 – 3:15 pm
Coffee Break
3:15 – 4:45 pm
Work Session 3: Water Supply
Moderated by Michael Webber, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin
Topics to be covered include: reservoir management, evaporation reduction, desalination, re-use and water rights purchases. Panelists include:
- Linda Christie, Government and Community Relations Director, Tarrant Regional Water District
- Brian MacManus, Director, East Rio Hondo Water Supply
- Mark Van Vleck, Executive Director of Utilities, City of Corpus Christi
- Hector Gonzalez, Government Affairs Manager, El Paso Water Utilities
- Lynn Katz, Director, Center of Research in Water Resources, University of Texas at Austin