Drinking water experts will convene at the Sacramento Convention Center, February 5 and 6 for a symposium focused on inorganic contaminants found in water. The Inorganic Contaminants Symposium will feature presentations and seminars led by renowned U.S. and international experts. Topics include: new techniques for treatment and analysis of drinking water, new challenges and risk assessment affecting the drinking water community. The event is hosted by the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association (CA-NV AWWA). 

“Some of the best research on water quality issues is happening here in California and we’re thrilled to host this international exchange of knowledge and information,” says Dr. Timothy Worley, CA-NV AWWA executive director. “Water quality, research, and treatment professionals are encouraged to attend and will find the diverse subject matter timely and relevant to their everyday positions.”  

Symposium chair John Consolvo, with the Philadelphia Water Department, adds that while the Section will manage all the logistics of the event, presenters will be drawn from across the U.S., Canada, Russia and the Netherlands. “The international scope of this conference remains unchanged, and the broad coverage of inorganic substances affecting different parts of the continent will continue to be a significant part of the program,” Consolvo says. 

The Water Research Foundation is coordinating with the CA-NV AWWA in planning a technical workshop the day prior to the symposium to make public the results of several related studies on hexavalent chromium, a widely occurring substance that will be regulated by the California Department of Public Health later in 2013. Worley praised the foundation for funding extensive research that will aid state and federal water quality regulators’ efforts to ensure the safety of drinking water.  

Dr. Roy Wolfe, Water Research Foundation president, says, “It was a natural and obvious choice to coordinate our workshop with the Inorganic Contaminants Symposium, since chromium is one of the top issues of concern and a major research focus of the water community at this time.” 

Registration is now open and discounts are available for regulators, professors and students. Water professionals are eligible to earn contact hours for their participation. For more information about registration, visit www.ca-nv-awwa.org or call 909/291-2119.