Texas Water 2026
San Antonio, Texas | Apr. 27-30
Texas Water, a joint annual conference of the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) and the Texas Section American Water Works Association (AWWA), is the largest regional water conference in the United States. Each year, Texas Water includes technical sessions, exhibits, competitions, networking opportunities, and more. Garver supports the water and wastewater industry by maintaining involvement through WEAT and AWWA, and we’re excited to continue that involvement at this year’s Texas Water.
Technical Presentations
1:55 - 2:25 pm
Demystifying SCADA Cybersecurity for Utilities
Water utilities are facing urgent OT cybersecurity risks. This presentation equips operators with practical guidance through threat awareness, asset management, risk assessment, and incident response. By introducing cybersecurity management programs, it provides a structured roadmap that turns uncertainty into action, fostering proactive, compliant, and confident approaches to safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Speaker: Cybersecurity Team Leader Clay Tidwell
4:05 - 4:35 pm
It had to be Reuse - the City of Liberty Hill’s Journey to Long Term Water Supply Resilience
This presentation will highlight how the City of Liberty Hill is addressing rapid growth and limited local water resources through the implementation of Direct Potable Reuse (DPR). It will explore how DPR supports both long-term water supply reliability and compliance with increasingly stringent nutrient limits and will share insights from piloting full advanced treatment and carbon-based advanced treatment technologie
Speaker: Central Texas Water Facilities Team Leader Jeffrey Meadows, PE
4:40 - 5:10 pm
Finding the Right Biosolids Management Solutions in a New Era of Uncertainty
As the wastewater industry shifts toward resource recovery, emerging PFAS concerns are challenging the long-standing use of biosolids for beneficial reuse, particularly in agriculture. This presentation explores how evolving regulations, market uncertainties, and risk perceptions are reshaping biosolids management strategies.
Speaker: Wastewater Practice Leader Greg Knight, CEng
10:10 - 10:40 am
From Lab to Utility: A Case Study Piloting Electrodialysis Metathesis for Brine Management in El Paso
A pilot with El Paso Water and UTEP tested salt-free electrodialysis metathesis at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant. The technology achieved over 97% recovery by separating salts into distinct streams, reducing brine volume. The results shown in this presentation show promise for expanding inland desalination and improving water supply resilience across Texas.
Speaker: Process Engineer Tayia Oddonetto, PhD
10:45 - 11:15 am
Step Up Your Screening Game: Reviewing the Design and Operation of Step Screens in the 212.5 MGD Headworks A Fine Screen Facility at TRA CRWS
TRA CRWS is a big plant with a big screenings problem. The newly constructed Headworks A Fine Screen Facility houses 6 step screens that were designed for maximum screenings removal from 212.5 MGD of flow. This presentation will review the technology selection and design process that led to 78% cost reduction in screenings work orders.
Speaker: Project Manager Kevin Flinn, PE
1:45 - 2:15 pm
Addressing PFAS Rule Compliance at a Surface Water Treatment Plant
Many US water systems will slightly exceed the promulgated PFAS standards and require system upgrades. Surface water treatment plants facing these challenges must carefully select appropriate treatment solutions. The author's experience assisting a water system in South Carolina will provide valuable insights that can guide Texas utilities in similar circumstances.
Speaker: Water Practice Leader Zaid Chowdhury, PhD, PE, BCEE
3:20 - 3:50 pm
Tight Fit: New EST with Unique Tank Geometry Replacing an Existing EST on a Tight Site near DFW Airport
This presentation highlights a project with challenging site requirements for a new 2.5 MG EST while also demolishing an existing EST on the same site. The City, Contractor, and Engineer will all discuss design and constructability challenges due to site limitations, FAA regulations, and multiple stakeholders within close proximity.
Speaker: Water Team Leader Ryan Opgenorth, PE
3:20 - 3:50 pm
Redefining Disinfection: Texas’ First Full-Scale Peracetic Acid (PAA) System at Hutto South WWTP
Amid a 2.5-to-6 MGD expansion, Hutto’s South WWTP faced compliance risks from its aging UV system. In partnership with the City and BRA, Garver implemented Texas’s first full-scale PAA system. This presentation highlights design, performance, regulatory coordination, and lessons learned—including impacts on key parameters—ensuring reliable compliance during UV upgrades.
Speaker: Project Manager Ankita Jain, PE
3:55 - 4:25 pm
Enhancing Design Efficiency and Accuracy with Advanced Mobile Scanning Technology
This presentation will discuss the use of advanced mobile scanning technology to improve design efficiency and accuracy while reducing field time, labor costs, and project timelines. High-quality 3D data enables faster modeling and better coordination, resulting in smarter, more cost-effective project delivery.
Speakers: Project Engineer Chris Ackerman and Geospatial Solutions Leader Drew Moffitt, GISP
4:30 - 5 pm
“LCLL” – Lead and Copper Lessons Learned
Per the EPA’s finalized Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), utility providers must take decisive action to reduce lead exposure in drinking water. This presentation details actionable strategies based on lessons learned for LCRI implementation, including service line inventory methodologies, replacement planning, and sampling programs. It emphasizes the importance of utility-specific strategies and the value of sharing lessons learned to support nationwide compliance efforts.
Speaker: Project Engineer Abby Hall
