Circular Water Economy Summit 2024 Program
The Water Environment Federation’s second Circular Water Economy (CWE) Summit is designed to bridge the gap between industrial and municipal water leaders – and the communities they serve – as they pursue sustainable solutions to water challenges. The 2024 conference highlights industrial water solutions – including circular water solutions from specifically targeted sectors: agriculture and food processing, technology, municipal, financial, policy, fashion and textile, academia, and energy.
The summit will use a variety of formats including keynotes, principal speakers, facilitated panel discussions, small group roundtable discussions, simulations, and many opportunities to build a constituency dedicated to leading this transformation together.
This 2.5-day program features distinct sessions aligning with the value proposition and business case of the circular water economy.
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Schedule-at-a-Glance Download the 2024
CWE Summit Technical Program
Session 1: Future Forward – AI in Circular Water Economy
Session 2: The Intersection of Innovation & Funding
Session 3: Circular Flow Modeling
Session 4: Industrial Symbiosis: From Policy to Practice
Session 5: Circular Water in Agriculture & Food Processing
Session 6: Drivers for Circular Water Strategies
All events will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas.
Monday, July 15, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Pre-Summit Deep Dives
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m
Workshop A: The Relationship Between Circular Water Economy and Oil & Gas Industries (Limited to 25 participants)
This deep dive is focused on the circular water economy for upstream, midstream or downstream users. We will explore what is the current state of circular water for the oil and gas industries, success stories, what can be improved, challenges and barriers, and how to improve circular water in O&G industry. Exploration of topics includes how to minimize by-products and waste, minimize consumption, and maximize reuse best practices.
Workshop B: Introducing the ESG Game Experience: Ignite Sustainability and Collaboration (Limited to 20 participants)
Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey towards a more sustainable future? Introducing the ESG Game Experience – a dynamic and immersive simulation designed to empower your team with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to implement impactful Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.
A three- to four-hour simulation game for four teams of up to five people, the ESG Game Experience sets the stage with a carefully curated selection of ESG themes, each forming a gateway to a realm of innovation and responsible business practices. Your team will dive into captivating topics such as employee relations, community engagement, climate change, etc. Every theme begins a remarkable adventure, leading your team toward sustainable success.
Empower your team to lead the way in environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and sound governance. Join us to embark on your ESG Game Experience and become a catalyst for a brighter, more sustainable future.
Evening Welcome Reception
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
To kick off the Circular Water Economy Summit, join us for a welcome reception with sustainability executives, decision-makers, and thought leaders from companies and municipalities that are successfully turning waste streams into value streams.
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 | 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Opening Session
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
A breakfast buffet will be available in the foyer at badge pickup, 7 a.m. – 8 a.m., with Summit programming running from 8 a.m. to noon, followed by a luncheon from noon to 1 p.m.
Early circular water principles can be found in indigenous practices that embraced a respectful approach to water and to nature as a whole. Water was and continues to be revered by many of these cultures. A special screening of Our Blue World and accompanying panel discussion will open the Summit and further explore humanity’s profound relationship with water.
View the Our Blue World trailer
Featured Speakers:
Mark Nelson, Institute of Echotechnics
Travis Numan, University of Nevada-Reno
Our Blue World Panel
Session 1: Future Forward – AI in Circular Water Economy
11:00 a.m. – Noon
Fast-forward to the present day, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a part of the common vernacular. People in various industries are already tapping into the power of this new tool to improve and inform systems. A second-panel discussion hosted by thought leaders and practitioners will help uncover the power of AI and the potential behind this tool for water circularity.
The following speakers will discuss the traditional ancestral ways of integrating circularity into water practices and how, with the tools available to us, we can enhance our processes.
Featured Speakers:
Gigi Karmous-Edwards, Karmous-Edwards Consultants
Rober Bornhofen, DC Water
Edmundo Ortega, Machine & Partners
Moderator:
Barry Liner, The Water Council
Luncheon
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Innovation Showcase
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The advancement of circular water economy practices is a multi-layered effort that requires innovation and technological advancement. During these 30 minutes, you will hear from start-ups and accelerators shaping and reframing the technology needed to move towards a more circular water economy.
Session 2: The Intersection of Innovation & Funding
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Innovation and funding are critical spokes in the circular water wheel and are often identified as both opportunities and barriers. Their interdependency can make or break impactful movements. We’ve invited two prominent organizations in this space to showcase how they work to propel renewable technologies forward.
Featured Speakers:
Laura Greenle, Xprize
Charles Werth, Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy
Earl Jones, DCVC
Moderator:
Gregory Madden, H2O Innovation
Session 3: Circular Flow Modeling
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Lean in to learn from top researchers versed in circular flow modeling for nutrients and decarbonization. This micro-course will give participants a high-level overview of the science-backed knowledge surrounding why it is critical to understand flow models and how they can inform circular opportunities across various industrial verticals.
A mock design exercise during the last half-hour will allow participants to identify flow model considerations for sample inputs/outputs to understand these flows better.
Featured Speakers:
Angela Fasnacht, Princeton
Sally Brown, University of Washington
Networking Reception
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 17, 2024 | 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Welcome and Keynote Speaker
Technology Spotlight: Meta’s Journey to Water Positive
8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
A breakfast buffet will be available in the foyer at badge pickup, 7:00am – 8:00am, with Summit programming running from 8:00am-noon, followed by a luncheon noon – 1 p.m.
Learn how Meta is making water the undercurrent of their sustainability strategy. Meta will highlight how water is moving through their organization with data centers, water restoration projects, and utility partnerships.
Featured Speaker:
Tom Birmingham, Meta
Session 4: Industrial Symbiosis: From Policy to Practice
8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Adaptation has become a necessity in planning for circularity in industrial processes. Learn from trailblazing organizations that have found that power in numbers across non-traditional partners has created opportunities beyond the status quo. You will gain perspectives from policymakers, sustainable infrastructure experts, and municipal and industrial leaders.
During the last half-hour of the session, participants will have the opportunity to conduct a simulated industrial symbiosis exercise.
Featured Speakers:
Rhys Roth, Center for Sustainable Infrastructure
Rep. Mike Chapman, Washington state Legislature
Robert Duff, Washington State Governor's Office
Steve Worley, City of Vancouver (Wash.)
Morten Sien Lynge, Ministry of Denmark
Moderators:
Rhys Roth, Center for Sustainable Infrastructure
Robert Duff, Washington State Governor's Office
Session 5: Circular Water in Agriculture & Food Processing
10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Water is required by nature to grow the food we depend on. This session will spotlight how circular water approaches inform best practices across various companies, from vertical agriculture to intelligent irrigation, food production, and distribution.
Featured Speakers:
Gopi Sandhu, Nestle-Purina
Daniel Baker, Manulife Investment Management
Morgan Welch, Bowery Farming
Kevin Hickey, Navitas and Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable
Moderator:
Tracy Ekola, Burns & McDonnell
Luncheon
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Innovation Showcase
1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The advancement of circular water economy practices is a multi-layered effort that requires innovation and technological advancement. During these 30 minutes, you will hear from multiple start-ups and accelerators shaping and reframing the technology needed to move towards a more circular water economy.
Session 6: Drivers for Circular Water Strategies
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Circular water strategies continue to infiltrate the dialogue across multiple sectors. From companies to utilities, institutions to governments, learn what drivers are guiding these decisions, where impacts are taking shape, and the potential of embedding these strategies into business as usual.
Featured Speakers:
Matthew Jalbert, Trinity River Authority
Betsy Hickman, Anthesis Group
Pradipta Parhi, J.P. Morgan
Moderator:
Lucy Pugh, AECOM
Closing Keynote and Remarks
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
The CWE Summit concludes at 4:30 pm on Wednesday.
Schedule at a Glance
Monday, July 15, 2024: Pre-Summit Deep-dive
1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ESG Workshop (tentative)
1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Oil and Gas Deep Dive
5:00 p.m. Welcome Reception
6:30 p.m. Pre-Summit Events adjourn for the evening
Tuesday, July 16, 2024: Day 1
Check-in
7:00 a.m. Badge Pickup and Breakfast
Morning Sessions
8:00 a.m. Welcome
8:15 a.m. Global and Indigenous Stories
9:15 a.m. Our Blue World Viewing & Panel
10:00 a.m. World Café
10:30 a.m. Networking Break
11:00 a.m. Future Forward – AI in Circular Water Economy
12:00 p.m. Lunch
Afternoon Sessions
1:00 p.m. Innovation Showcase
1:35 p.m. The Intersection of Innovation & Funding
3:00 p.m. Networking Break
3:30 p.m. Circular Flow Modeling
4:30 p.m. Small Group Deep Dive: Go with the Flow Modeling
5:00 p.m. Networking Reception
6:30 p.m. Summit Day One Adjourns
Wednesday, July 17, 2024: Day 2
Check-in
7:00 a.m. Badge Pickup and Breakfast
Morning Sessions
8:00 a.m. Welcome and Keynote Speaker
8:35 a.m. Industrial Symbiosis: From Policy to Practice
10:00 a.m. Networking Break
10:30 a.m. Circular Water in Agriculture & Food Processing
12:00 pm Lunch
Afternoon Sessions
1:00 p.m. Innovation Showcase
1:35 p.m. Drivers for Circular Water Strategies
3:00 p.m. Networking Break
3:30 p.m. Closing Keynote
4:15 p.m. Closing Remarks
4:30 p.m. Summit Adjourns
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