Technical Program

Collection Systems 2008 Draft Technical Program - As of 3-18-08

The draft technical program contains a detailed description of the pre-conference workshop (ticketed event with limited seating), Opening General Session, and 12 technical sessions.

Pre-Conference Workshop

Satellite Utilities & the Regional POTW: Developing 21st Century Relationships
Sunday, May 18, 2008
8:30 – 4:00pm
* Ticketed event with limited seating - Register now!

This workshop examines successes and challenges as the Satellite/Regional partnerships evolve under today’s changing regulatory climate. A brief discussion of the regulatory climate at national and regional levels will be followed with real-life case studies that will provide examples of relationship issues for the Satellite Collection System owners and POTW owners.  Interactive sessions will provide attendee participation in strategic solutions for better thought processes to face challenges in their own municipal arenas.

Designed For: Wastewater Utility Managers, Utility Finance Professionals, Utility Board Members, Regulators, Government Officials, and Consultants.

Learning Objectives:
    • CMOM and permit compliance issues
    • Agreement development based on successes/challenges/ lessons learned
    • Economic and O&M impacts
    • Custody Transfer and Private Property issues


Social Event

A social event will be offered in conjunction with the Collection Systems 2008 conference.  A ticket is required for the event.  A limited number of seats are available for $35.  Details are provided below.

Cruising the Confluence
Tuesday, May 20 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Join us for an evening river cruise and experience Pittsburgh’s three rivers—the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio Rivers. Pittsburgh is the nation’s busiest inland port, providing access to the extensive 9,000 mile U.S. inland waterway system. Board the Gateway Clipper’s elegant Keystone Belle at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and be ready to enjoy networking with colleagues, an hors d’oeuvres buffet and cocktails while viewing many spectacular points of historic and current interest along Pittsburgh’s
riverbanks.

Technical Tours

Two tours will be offered in conjunction with the Collection Systems 2008 conference.  Tickets for these tours are required.  A limited number of seats are available for $25.  Details are provided below. 

Tour A
Nine Mile Run Restoration Tour
Monday, May 19 | 1:30 pm – 4:45 pm

Join us for a tour of the Nine Mile Run Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, the largest stream restoration ever undertaken in a major metropolitan area by the Army Corps of Engineers. The $7.7 million project, completed in June 2006, required a commitment by four watershed communities to invest millions of dollars in sanitary and combined sewer system improvements. The project also leveraged the development of a large brownfield site into a neighborhood of more than 700 homes. Aquatic habitat improvements, including channel reconfiguration, stream bank stabilization, and native plantings have already lead to measurable improvement of water quality. Prior to the restoration only two species of fish were present in Nine Mile Run; now there are nine species. The restored watershed has been incorporated into the surrounding regional park.

Tour B
Northside Treatment Facility Tour
Tuesday, May 20 | 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, (ALCOSAN) has been instrumental in transforming the Pittsburgh area rivers and streams from polluted waterways devoid of plant and aquatic life to a desirable location for recreation and commerce. Located on 56 acres along the Ohio River on Pittsburgh’s Northside, ALCOSAN is the largest wastewater treatment facility in the Ohio Valley treating an average of 200 million gallons of wastewater daily from 83 communities including the City of Pittsburgh. The 1.5 hour environmentally and technologically focused tour covers the wastewater and solids handling processes highlighting the recently completed $400 million capital improvement program which addressed odor control, treatment capacity and wet weather planning.