AZ Water Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization founded in 1928 with a membership of 2,500 water/wastewater professionals dedicated to preserving and enhancing Arizona's water environment. Although AZ Water is an independent organization, it also serves as the Arizona section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the Arizona member association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF).

All conference technical sessions and exhibits will be held at the South Building of the Phoenix Convention Center.  The Phoenix Convention Center is located in the heart of downtown where you can enjoy the Annual AZ Water Conference & Exhibition and explore the city.  Whether you are new to Phoenix or perhaps in your own backyard, you can enjoy new sights, new sounds and new culinary delights within a short walk or quick ride from the conference venue.  The METRO Light Rail is an easy and convenient way to travel to and from the Phoenix Convention Center, airport and many areas of the valley.  Conference parking is available at the East Parking Garage and AZ Water has made arrangements for each attendee to receive a FREE parking voucher with conference registration.

Overview 

During our annual conference AZ Water provides value to our members by offering a three-day program designed to provide professional development, continuing education, and technology transfer to support our vision of “a vibrant Arizona through resilient, reliable and safe water.”  Attendees at our conference have the following opportunities:

• Earn up to 18 professional development hours over 3 days from over 180 technical presentations
• Enjoy 4 Panel Discussions, 2 Operator Training tracks, Exhibit Walking Sessions and Learning Exchange Sessions
• Enjoy 2 days and up 1 PDH per day learning from over 240 exhibitors
• Observe the presentation of over 20 awards
• A chance to participate in various competitions

Opening Keynote
Tuesday, April 28, 8:00 am

Peter Annin
Executive Director, Burke Center for Ecosystem Research

A veteran conflict and environmental journalist, Peter Annin spent more than a decade reporting on a wide variety of issues for Newsweek. For many years he specialized in coverage of domestic terrorism and other conflicts, including the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City and the Branch Davidian standoff outside Waco, Texas. He has also spent many years writing about the environment, including droughts in the Southwest, hurricanes in the Southeast, wind power on the Great Plains, and the causes and consequences of the “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico.

In 2018, Annin published an extensively revised and updated edition of Water Wars which was recognized with a Great Lakes Leadership Award in Communication Excellence from the Great Lakes Protection Fund in 2020.

His latest book, Purified: How Recycled Sewage Is Transforming Our Water (Island Press, November 2023) examines water tension in the Sunbelt and the increasingly prominent role water recycling is playing in combating water scarcity. 

Annin currently serves as Executive Director of the Burke Center for Ecosystem Research. View Peter's full biography.

Speaker Highlights

Kate Gallego

City of Phoenix
Mayor

AWARDS LUNCHEON
April 29 at 11:30 AM

Mark Theiler

American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Young Professional Advisor

AWARDS LUNCHEON
April 29 at 11:30 AM

Brent Tippey

American Water Works Association (AWWA)
President-Elect

KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
April 30 at 11:30 AM

Walid Khoury

Water Environment Federation (WEF)
Trustee

KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
April 30 at 11:30 AM

At-a-glance Schedule

Saturday, April 25:

Community Service Project

Monday,  April 27:

99th Annual AZ Water Conference and Exhibition Golf Tournament at Whirlwind Golf Club

Arizona Water Professionals Week Proclamation and Reception at the Hyatt Regency

Tuesday, April 28:

Welcome and Opening Keynote

Technical Sessions, Operator Training, Learning Exchanges

Exhibition Hall Open with Exhibit Walking Sessions, Student Poster Competition and AZ Water Operator Competitions

Panel Discussion:  ADVANCED WATER PURIFICATION: IS THIS ARIZONA'S WATER FUTURE?

Exhibition Happy Hour and Dinner Social at The Churchill 

Wednesday, April 29:

Technical Sessions, Operator Training, Learning Exchanges

Exhibition Hall Open with Exhibit Walking Sessions and AZ Water Operator Competitions

Operator Spotlight, Awards Luncheon and Membership Meeting

Panel Discussion:  SECURING ARIZONA'S WATER FUTURE

Exhibition Happy Hour & YP Raffle and Evening Awards Reception

Thursday, April 30:

Technical Sessions, Operator Training

Panel Discussion:  CITY OF PEORIA’S NEW APPROACH TO GREENFIELD INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND IMPLEMENTATION

Panel Discussion:  UTILITY EXECUTIVES ON THE THREE KEYS TO BUILDING FUTURE READY ORGANIZATIONS

AWWA & WEF Luncheon Keynotes & Gavel Passing

Arizona Turquoise Title Sponsor

Titanium Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

The Countdown Begins

Better Future

Foster the development of future water industry leaders through outreach, scholarships, & student chapters.

Engagement

Get involved on a committee and help shine a spotlight on Arizona's dedicated water professionals.

Value of Water

Educate the public, inform policy-makers and support a balance between the natural & built environments.