ISA Water/Wastewater Symposium enjoying new-found interest

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — The International Society of Automation (ISA) announced that pre-registration activity for the 2012 ISA Water/Wastewater and Automatic Controls Symposium (WWAC Symposium) has been brisk. As of July 1, more than 110 automation professionals have registered. In addition, the symposium’s optional full-day short-course on cybersecurity now boasts more than 20 participants.

Taking place Aug. 7-9 at the Holiday Inn Castle Resort Hotel in Orlando, Fla., the 2012 ISA WWAC Symposium focuses on the challenges associated with automation, instrumentation and SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) in the municipal water and wastewater sectors. It features two full days of technical speakers/presentations, a tour of a local water treatment plant, a general reception, networking events, a poster session and a supplier showcase. This year’s symposium offers more than 30 technical talks on a variety of topics which include cybersecurity, plant automation techniques, operational effectiveness, advances in instrumentation, plant case studies and techniques for developing effective plant control rooms.

Now in its seventh year, the WWAC Symposium is experiencing a new-found growth in popularity thanks to newly-formed alliances with the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) and the National Rural Water Association (NRWA). By forming strong partnerships with other associations, the symposium has been able to reach a broader cross-section of water and wastewater professionals across the industry. For members of these associations, the symposium represents targeted professional development and training opportunities that they could not find elsewhere.

Training and Professional Development
Training and professional development is the major focus of this annual symposium. Thanks to ISA’s alliance with the FSAWWA, the symposium is able to offer 2.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), approved by the Florida Department of the Environment, to Florida-state licensed water and wastewater operators. Florida Engineers can also earn 20 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) towards their state-issued engineering licenses. Additionally, attendees from outside of Florida can also earn 20 PDHs, certified by ISA, to use for their continuing education needs as applicable. The optional short-course on cybersecurity offers an additional 2.0 CEUs for both Florida and out-of-state attendees.

In addition to the technical program, attendees will have an opportunity to view the latest water and wastewater industry products and services when they visit the Supplier Showcase. A full listing of symposium exhibitors and sponsors can be found on the symposium website at www.isawwsymposium.com.