DETAILS
Dates: September 28-29, 2023
Location: Badger Meter’s US Headquarters,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Organiser: SWAN Americas Alliance
PROGRAM
Theme: “Rising Above the Noise”
The first day featured a full-day Workshop with a keynote, insightful panels, interactive roundtable discussions, and a networking happy hour. The second day featured an organized morning study tour of Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, followed by a tour of their Jones Island WRF, and ending with a Q&A session.
AGENDA
Scroll down to view presentations highlighted in blue.
September 28, 2023 (Day 1) – Workshop Day
Workshop Welcome
- Shirley Ben-Dak, Senior Advisor (SWAN Forum)
Opening Remarks & Setting the Smart Water Agenda
- Ken Bockhorst, CEO (Badger Meter)
Keynote Presentation on “People Before Tech: Making Meaningful Connections”
- Steven Solano, EOS Implementer® (EOS Worldwide)
Panel 1: “Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: The Foundations of a Smart Water Journey” (slides)
Moderator: Jennifer M. Morales, P.E., PWKs Asset Manager General Services Division (City of Omaha Public Works, NE)
- Matt Magruder, Environmental Research Manager (MMSD)
- Tanya Dady, Smart Water Strategy Manager (SES Water, UK)
- Melinda Tam, Digital Water Growth Leader and National Automation Practice Lead (Tetra Tech) feat. Louisville MSD case study
- Chris Sosnowski, CEO & Co-Founder (Waterly) feat. Village of Mukwonago, WI case study
Panel 2: “From Cloud to Proud: Making Data Work For You” (slides)
Moderator: Celia Gould, Consultant (EMA Inc.)
- Javad Roostaei, PhD, Director of Data Science (Hazen & Sawyer)
- Leon Downing, Global Practice and Technology Leader – Nutrient Removal & Recovery (Black & Veatch) feat. Fond du Lac Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery Facility case study
- Matt Rolls, VP Business Development (Specific Energy)
- Maria Wünsch de Alvarenga, Business Developer Lead – Americas (Royal HaskoningDHV) feat. Water Authority Vallei en Veluwe case study
Interactive Roundtable Session
“Embracing Innovation through Expanded Data Capabilities“ Led by Erin Sandos, PE, Engineer II (South Platte Renew, CO) & Alan Tucker, Technology Planning Lead (Brown & Caldwell)
“Smart One Water: How to Drive Integrated Innovation?” Led by Chantelle Kuchma, Senior Manager, Situational Awareness (EPCOR Water Services, CA)
“Is the pressure getting to you? Smart ways you’re managing pressure in the network” Led by Matt Stephenson, Director Software Marketing (Badger Meter)
“GIS Journey Towards a Smarter Collection System” Led by Isaac T. Crabtree, PE, Assistant Director of Operations & Maintenance (Johnson County Wastewater, KS)
“From ‘Hardware’ to ‘Softcare’: Initial Steps to Embedding Digital Tools Across CIPs” Led by Rick Niederstadt, Capital Program Support Manager (Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District – MMSD)
“Incremental Change or Rapid Evolution: What is going to take smart water to the next level?” Led by Richard Hake, Innovation Leader (Stantec)
Panel 3: “No Fluff Zone: When Technologies Reduce Risk To Create Impact” (slides)
Moderator: Jennifer Suttles, Division Director, Water and Sewer Technical Services (Gwinnett County, GA) & SWAN Americas Research Lead
- Joe Shuttleworth, Digital Market Lead – Water (Arup)
- Sandae Tait, Assistant Program Manager (DC Water) feat. Syrinix case study
- Sabrina Dodos, Engineer II Department of Utility Services (City of Henderson, NV) feat. Asterra case study
- Mason Throneberg, CEO (Confluency) feat. MSDGC case study
SWAN Americas Update (slides)
- Mirana Rideout, SWAN Americas Manager
- Jennifer Suttles, Division Director, Water and Sewer Technical Services (Gwinnett County) & SWAN Americas Research Lead
Panel 4: “Magic Wand – What’s Needed Across People, Processes & Technologies?” (slides)
Moderator: Delph Mak, Vice President of Digital Solutions (Gradiant)
- Eric Bindler, Senior Research Director (Bluefield Research)
- Jennifer M. Morales, P.E., PWKs Asset Manager General Services Division (City of Omaha Public Works, NE)
- Anne-li Steutel-Maron, Marketing Strategist (Kando) feat. El Paso Water case study
Workshop Summary
Shirley Ben-Dak, Senior Advisor (SWAN Forum)
September 29, 2023 (Day 2)
Metro Milwaukee Sewerage District Site Tour
MMSD Commission Room for Presentations (followed by Jones Island WRF Bus Tour)
Thank You to Our Hosts!
