Plan your visit at WEFTEC 2026
Join us for a series of insightful in-booth and conference presentations, where Xylem will showcase the latest innovations and solutions in water management. Browse our schedule below to plan your visit and make the most of your time at the event. Immerse yourself in innovation and connect with our experts.
Xylem WEFTEC 2026 schedule
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Time | Session | ||
| 10:00-10:30am In-booth presentation Xylem booth |
The partner advantage: Solving operators' toughest problems with Xylem nanobubble innovation by Moleaer Govar Katta (Xylem), Gary Hunter (Black & Veatch), Daniel Fahr (Greer, SC) Municipal operators are stretched thin, faced with tighter permits, climbing chemical and energy costs, aging assets, and shrinking crews, and they're turning to the partners they already trust to bring them answers. In this session, we will show how channel partners can be and are deploying nanobubble treatment to solve those problems in the real world. At Greer CPW's Maple Creek WWTP in South Carolina, operators eliminated defoaming and settling chemicals, cut chemistry costs roughly 60%, and unlocked $210,000–$290,000 in annual savings with no permanent infrastructure changes. Learn how Xylem equips its utility channel partners with Moleaer nanobubble technology to win on operator outcomes. |
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| 11:00-11:30am In-booth presentation Xylem booth |
Tackling PFAS: Scalable, resilient treatment solutions for complex needs Lewis Veith, Geoff Pellechia Drinking water regulations for PFAS are driving municipalities to act. At the same time, the PFAS treatment landscape continues to evolve, and it’s clear there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Beyond drinking water, the wastewater PFAS regulatory landscape is one of growing discussion at both the state and federal level, leading municipalities to begin planning for future potential treatment and management of PFAS. Differences in system size, available footprint, water quality, and the broad range of PFAS species and concentrations require flexible and tailored treatment solutions. Xylem’s portfolio addresses these complexities, offering configurable and scalable treatment options designed to meet the unique needs of each community. Xylem continues to build on this foundation, investing in innovation and strategic partnerships to advance the next generation of PFAS treatment technologies. This technical session will guide attendees through the evolving challenges of PFAS treatment, highlight the best available technologies for various scenarios, review real-world Xylem customer successes, and provide a glimpse of ongoing development efforts. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how to navigate today’s PFAS requirements and prepare for what’s coming next. |
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| 1:15-2:45pm Technology Spotlight Hall H, Booth 7249 |
Introduction to Biological Treatment for Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs) Todd Suckow Xylem provides many secondary biological treatment options and will show the variety of systems available and installed today. It will include Lagoon systems, fixed film systems such as trickling filters and RBC's, various types of traditional activated sludge systems with diffusers in an aeration basin and a secondary clarifier, a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR), and an Oxidation Ditch configured for Simultaneous Nitrification - Denitrification. This will give the attendee an opportunity to learn the types of biological treatment systems used in municipal water resource recovery facilities. For the tour, a biological process expert will provide a brief introduction to each technology: Floating High Speed Aerators Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC's) Conventional Activated Sludge Systems Oxidation Ditch Systems Sequencing Batch Reactors |
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| 2:00-2:30pm In-booth presentation Xylem booth |
Using algae to remove and recover phosphorus from one of the largest point sources in the Mississippi River Valley Bob Wenta (Xylem), Martin Gross (Gross-Wen) Gross-Wen Technologies' Revolving Algal Biofilm (RAB®) technology was successfully pilot tested at one of the largest corn processing plants in the US to remove phosphorus from wastewater before discharge to the local utility. The treated wastewater ultimately flows into a tributary of the Mississippi River. Pilot results demonstrated that at full-scale, the RAB process can remove greater than 90% phosphorus at less than half the cost of conventional chemical treatment, the lowest-cost alternative evaluated. The project is currently in FEL-2 engineering, with construction anticipated to begin in late 2026. Once operational, the facility is expected to remove 3,500 pounds of phosphorus per day, substantially reducing nutrient discharges from one of the largest phosphorus point sources in the Mississippi River Basin. |
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| 3:00-3:30pm In-booth presentation Xylem booth |
From material to hydraulics: How Flygt drives superior non-clog wastewater pump performance Trush Bhatt As wastewater systems face increasing challenges from flushable wipes, rags, textiles, and other fibrous solids, pump clogging remains one of the leading causes of reduced efficiency, increased maintenance costs, and unplanned downtime. While high-chrome impellers are superior for their wear resistance and durability, material selection alone does not determine a pump's ability to maintain non-clog performance. In fact, many clogging events occur not because of material degradation, but due to the interaction between solids and the pump's hydraulic design. This presentation examines the critical relationship between hydraulic performance and solids-handling capability in modern wastewater pumping applications. |
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| 4:00pm Happy hour |
125 years of certainty Xylem celebrates 125 years of Flygt leadership in wastewater innovation. For more than a century, Flygt has helped shape the industry through pioneering technologies, trusted expertise, and a commitment to reliable performance. Please join us on Monday, September 28 at 4:00 p.m. CST for a special Flygt 125 happy hour as we celebrate this milestone together. |
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Time | Session | ||
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9:45-10:15am Sponsorship - Innovation Pavilion Hall B1, Booth 251 |
Ladies that launch: Women leading water’s AI revolution Moderator: Sivan Zamir (Xylem), Panelists: Christine Boyle (Burnt Island Ventures), Nadine Zerrini (DC Water), Sonora Hill (Amazon) Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the water sector—optimizing operations, predicting failures, and enabling smarter resource management. Yet, the success of this digital revolution depends on visionary leadership and inclusive innovation. This panel brings together women leaders at the forefront of AI strategy and water technology to explore how diversity in leadership accelerates transformation. The discussion will highlight real-world applications of AI in water utilities, investment strategies driving tech adoption, and entrepreneurial approaches to scaling innovation. Panelists will share insights on overcoming barriers, fostering collaboration between start-ups and corporates, and ensuring ethical, equitable deployment of AI solutions. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for integrating AI into their organizations and building inclusive ecosystems that amplify impact. |
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10:00-10:30am In-booth presentation Xylem booth |
Using CFD to troubleshoot and prevent common pump station problems Marc Goldbach Pump station hydraulic issues are often difficult to diagnose through conventional design review or field observation alone, particularly in aging or constrained infrastructure. This presentation will show how computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used to troubleshoot problematic existing pump stations, evaluate retrofit scenarios, and improve proposed layouts before implementation. Projects include the evaluation of existing pump stations for troubleshooting, the assessment of retrofit options, and the refinement of pump station designs to improve hydraulic performance. Together, these examples demonstrate how CFD can help utilities make more confident decisions, reduce operational risk, and avoid long-term hydraulic problems. |
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10:15am-12:00pm InFLOW Room 279 |
Journey through water - water industry giants panel Renee Willette Learn about working in water from several prominent leaders in the sector. These water industry leaders will share their journey in water and provide insight into how to succeed in the water industry. Invite only. |
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10:30-11:00am Innovation Pavilion Hall B1, Booth 251 |
Leadership panel: Leading through uncertainty Moderator: Paul O’Callaghan (BlueTech Research), Panelist: Snehal Desai (Xylem) The water sector is entering a defining decade. Climate pressures, aging infrastructure, AI, evolving regulations, and growing investment are reshaping how organisations innovate and create value. Join senior executives from across the industry for a candid conversation on the leadership qualities needed to navigate uncertainty, scale innovation, and build resilient organisations. From long-term strategy to culture and decision-making, this discussion explores how today's leaders are preparing their businesses—and the sector—for what comes next. |
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10:45-11:15am Sponsorship - Product Launchpad Green Stage |
How cities are re-engineering their stormwater future Mark Wharton (Stormwater Professionals Group), Scott Moore (Xylem), Asad Chowdry (Xylem) Utilities and cities are facing greater exposure to increasingly severe storm events. Many cities are deploying resilience strategies that integrate high-capacity flood pumping, flood-proof pump station design, and green infrastructure. These from retention parks and bioswales to permeable streetscapes to manage what nature and density conspire to produce. Flygt stormwater solutions optimize station design, allowing facilities to successfully operate during storms and reduce construction and O&M costs. In this session, Mark Wharton, President of Stormwater Professionals Group, joins Xylem's Scott Moore and Asad Choudry for a candid conversation about what it actually takes to protect cities from flooding, the decisions made, the lessons learned, and the standards that have emerged. From standardized equipment specifications that drive system-wide performance and lifecycle value, to flood-proof designs being implemented across pump stations citywide, this session offers an unfiltered look at urban water infrastructure at its most demanding scale. Attendees will hear about different approaches cities have taken, alongside takeaways for every city dealing with aging infrastructure, impervious surfaces, and climate uncertainty. |
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11:00-11:30am In-booth presentation Xylem booth |
From rising water to rapid response: How Houston turns real-time flood data into action Michelle Camp The City of Houston, Texas launched its new Flood Watch Program in early 2025 and aims to share the challenges spurring this iconic program, the end-to-end technology solution Houston is currently deploying citywide, lessons learned along the way, and the City's vision for leveraging its innovative investment. Houston faces more frequent and more extreme weather events as well as flat, flood-prone geography. These challenges combined with limited visibility and availability of real-time data have led to a more reactive (versus proactive) approach to network operations and emergency response. Houston chose to invest in a comprehensive technology solution that enables the City to monitor rising flood waters in real-time and notify emergency and field personnel to proactively initiate public safety measures such as road barriers at flooded roadways. This case study presentation will explore Houston's project objective and scope, field and data observations, and initial conclusions. |
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11:25-11:40am Technology spotlight session Xylem booth |
Ozone Disinfection: Considerations for Application, Implementation, and Operation as part of the WEFTEC Tech Spotlight Series: Disinfection Technologies on Display: Insights and Exhibit Tour Dee Adapa (Xylem) This mobile session introduces common wastewater disinfection technologies. It begins with a brief summary of the results of WEF's recent survey on current disinfection practices, emerging trends, costs, and technology adoption. Participants will then tour the exhibit floor with short stops at selected booths representing major disinfection approaches used in the industry, including ozone disinfection, UV disinfection systems, peracetic acid, performic acid, and on-site hypochlorite generation. Each stop will provide a concise overview of how the technology works, where it is most commonly applied, and key implementation considerations. |
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12:45-1:30pm Water-AI Nexus Theater Hall G, Booth 6310 |
Delivering AI to manage the water that delivers AI Joanne Le (Coachella Valley Water District), Snehal Desai (Xylem), Bernard Koh (PUB Singapore) As demand for AI infrastructure grows, so does the need for sustainable water solutions. This session brings together top leaders from the water and technology sectors to explore innovative approaches to water reuse, infrastructure development, and AI-enabled operations. Through real-world examples, attendees will learn how partnerships are helping meet growing water demands while advancing efficiency, resilience, and long-term stewardship. |
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1:30-3:00pm Sponsorship - Thought Leadership presentation Room 238 |
Watering the new economy: How utilities can enable growth in the AI era Moderator: Radhika Fox (North Star Strategy), Christopher Gasson (GWI), Al Cho (Xylem), Sonora Hill (Amazon), Doa Ross (Southern Nevada Water Authority) Water underpins every sector of the modern economy—yet it remains undervalued and underinvested. As AI, data centers, and advanced manufacturing accelerate growth, water is emerging as critical infrastructure. This session draws on the Global Water Intelligence and Xylem “Watering the New Economy” report to explore how utilities and industry are responding. Leaders from utilities, technology, and water will discuss balancing growth with resilience, mobilizing investment, and positioning water systems as enablers of economic development. Designed for WEFTEC’s utility-focused audience, the session will offer practical insights into managing demand, modernizing infrastructure, and advancing cross-sector partnerships. |
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1:30-3:00pm Technical session Room 351 |
Watershed modeling from simple to AI Chris Dawson This session will compare and contrast differing approaches to modeling including SWMM, Water Quality, and AI based models. |
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2:00-2:30pm In-booth presentation Xylem booth |
De-risking UV AOP implementation with pilot/demonstration testing Anthony Pimentel Ultraviolet (UV) advanced oxidation process (AOP) is a robust water treatment technology capable of providing pathogen and chemical treatment for potable reuse, groundwater remediation, and more. While many states and utilities have embraced UV AOP adoption for various applications successfully, the design and implementation of UV AOP can often be challenging due to the unique chemistry of a project water quality and target contaminant. UV AOP Pilot/Demonstration testing can support detailed design of UV AOP systems by evaluating UV dose and oxidant dose requirements to achieve treatment goals most efficiently. In addition, utility experience with UV AOP operations and regulatory acceptance can boost full-scale UV AOP implementation. This presentation will summarize UV AOP pilot/demonstration testing approaches and outline the capabilities of the new Xylem MiPro UV AOP Pilot/Demonstration Skid to meet your project's goals. |
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3:00-3:30pm In-booth presentation Xylem booth |
Results that matter: Delivering outcomes through total water services Rod McNelly, Jeremy Bowers Water and wastewater systems are becoming more difficult to manage as aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, tightening regulations, and budget constraints increase operational complexity. This presentation explores how outcome-based service agreements help utilities and industrial facilities improve reliability, maintain compliance, reduce risk, and optimize lifecycle costs through proactive maintenance, process expertise, critical spare parts management, and performance guarantees. An anonymized customer case study presented by one of Xylem's AQUA pro Service Professionals will demonstrate how embedded field expertise and hands-on operational support delivered measurable improvements beyond traditional maintenance services. Attendees will leave with practical insights into how performance-based service partnerships maximize uptime, strengthen resilience, and allow organizations to focus on their core operations. |
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3:00-4:30pm Technology Spotlight Hall H, Booth 7249 |
Advanced monitoring tools for BNR optimization Mark Vuksan Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) is essential for wastewater treatment plants seeking to meet increasingly stringent nutrient discharge requirements while maintaining operational efficiency. This Technology Spotlight highlights how advanced, reagent-free sensor technologies from Badger Meter provide continuous, real-time measurement of key parameters including ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and dissolved oxygen. By delivering accurate data throughout the treatment process, these sensors support optimized nitrogen removal, improved effluent quality and compliance with local treatment and discharge regulations. Designed for challenging wastewater environments, the sensors leverage technologies such as optical dissolved oxygen measurement, ion-selective electrodes for ammonium monitoring and UV-Vis spectrophotometry for nitrate and suspended solids analysis. The presentation also explores how integrated monitoring systems, data loggers and controllers enable advanced analytics, alarm management and automated process control. By providing actionable insights into aeration, nitrification and denitrification processes, these solutions help operators optimize blower performance, reduce chemical usage, identify process anomalies early and lower operating costs. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of sensor functionality, implementation strategies and key design considerations such as durability, calibration stability and SCADA integration. Real-world applications will demonstrate how advanced monitoring technologies can address common BNR challenges, including influent variability, tighter permit limits and energy reduction goals, enabling more confident, data-driven operational decisions. |
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3:30-3:45pm Interactive technical session Room 235 |
Investigation of N-Nitrosodimethylamine UV Sensitivity in Reclaimed Water Reverse Osmosis Permeate Ai Jia, Dian Tanuwidjaja, Jonathan Zapata, and Samuel Patton (all of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California), and Anthony Pimentel (Xylem) This session shares collected experience and lessons learned on controlling microconstituents in reuse water by applying UV and Advanced Oxidation processes depending on the type of contaminants to be addressed: N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and 1,4-Dioxane. |
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3:30-5:00pm Technical Session |
BWON compliance alternatives for petroleum refinery wastewater treatment plants Bob Wenta (Xylem), Tom Schultz (Brown and Caldwell), David Marrs (formerly with Valero) |
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3:45-4:15pm Water-AI Nexus Theater Hall G, Booth 6310 |
AI, data centers, and water security: The role of alternative water supply in powering the digital economy Moderator: Shannon McCarthy, Panelists: Snehal Desai (Xylem), Bruno Pigott Growing demand for AI infrastructure is increasing pressure on water resources worldwide. This panel explores how desalination, water reuse, and AI-enabled water management can help meet the water needs of data centers and advanced industries. Bringing together leaders from across the sector, the discussion will examine emerging trends and global perspectives for building resilient and sustainable water supplies for the AI economy. |
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4:00pm Happy hour |
Celebrating the past while advancing the future of water treatment Join us to celebrate the past 50 years of Wedeco water innovation while exploring the future of water treatment solutions. On Tuesday, September 29, at 4 p.m. CST, the Xylem Treatment division will be hosting a celebratory happy hour. This event will feature five exciting new innovative treatment products as well as a commemoration of Wedeco’s 50th anniversary. Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize the last 50 years while looking forward to the next phase in advanced treatment. |
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9:00-9:30am Technology Spotlight Hall H, booth 7249 |
Advancing high-rate solids separation with Folded Flow Dissolved Air Flotation Armin Mandani This presentation introduces Folded Flow Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) as an advanced hydraulic configuration developed to enable high-rate solids separation. The design incorporates a structured internal flow path that improves flow distribution and promotes effective contact between bubbles and flocculated solids. Residence time distribution testing indicates that this configuration increases plug-flow characteristics and reduces short-circuiting relative to conventional DAF systems, resulting in improved hydraulic efficiency and more effective utilization of the flotation volume. |
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1:30-2:00pm Technical Session Room 335 |
Measuring in-situ nitrification and denitrification rates at low DO Sarah Elger (Xylem), Leon Downing (Black & Veatch) This session assembles several perspectives on low DO nitrogen removal, a method that can help facilities meet effluent nitrogen limits while providing critical energy and chemical savings. Speakers and the audience will examine in-situ measurement methods, nitrification kinetic parameters, and treatment resilience despite seasonal influent variations. Utilities can apply takeaways from this session for low-DO nitrogen removal at their own facilities. |