2024 WQRF Symposium

A convening of scientific and technical experts for

shared strategies and solutions to contamination in drinking water.

An educational event designed to educate, engage and empower.

PFAS has recently become well-known for what we don't know about these man-made chemicals and their impact on human health.

Join the Water Quality Research Foundation and the Water Quality Association for an impactful one-day symposium on Monday, March 4, 2024 designed to provide education presented by those within research, governmental/regulatory agencies, and other experts on the latest in PFAS research and information. We hope to see you in Orlando, Florida for this important event. Network. Learn. Join Us!

The WQRF Scientific Symposium occurs one day before the opening of WQA's Convention and Expo on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
Please note that the WQA Convention & Expo require separate registration. For more information or to register for the WQA 2024 Convention and Expo, please visit the Convention website.

Registration

Hotel Information

WQRF Symposium 2024: Schedule of Events | Monday, March 4, 2024

Networking Breakfast
(9:00 am - 10 am)

Join us for a leisurely hour of getting-to-know your fellow attendees and have a little bit of fun just before education kicks-off for the day.

USGS: PFAS at the Tap and Work in Water (10:15 am - 11 am)

Beginning in 2016, the USGS assembled a team to sample and test tap water throughout the US. The last eight years of research on drinking water has yielded data on the occurrence of contaminants, including the presence of PFAS and forever chemicals. Join us as the USGS shares their findings and how their work continues to inform other governmental agencies about what is happening in water. Presenters: Kelly Smalling, Research Hydrologist
Dr. Paul Bradley, Research Hydrologist/Ecologist Co-Leads, USGS Environmental Health Program, Drinking-Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Integrated Science Team.

The Lifecycle of PFAS in the Environment
(11:15 am - 12:15 pm)

This panel discussion will take us through the lifecycle of PFAS with experts who represent waste, biosolids and new destruction technologies. We will additionally explore the regulatory angle and what it could ultimately mean for the future of water.

Keynote Luncheon (12:30 pm)

Building a More Resilient Future: presented by Michael Berkowitz, Executive Director, Climate Resilience Academy, University of Miami

The big idea for the future is creating communities that can "bounce back" from a potential climate crisis or disaster. This is a grassroots effort, designed reduce fragility and increase resilience - join us to find out more about what the future holds.

Robert Bilott is the tenacious environmental lawyer who became “DuPont’s worst nightmare,” according to The New York Times.

Resiliency in Water: Preparing for Climate Change and Disaster (1:45 - 3 pm)

This panel will feature conversations on emerging contaminants and how to create a more resilient water supply, including a panel discussion about the impact of wildfires and other disasters have had on water – and how to better prepare future events.
Presenters: Shannon Murphy, Dr. Andrew Whelton, University of FL?, State Perspectives and Homeland Security/ DoD

Innovations: What's Next in Water (3 - 4 pm)

Protecting water and creating a better way of using water will be one of the next generation's greatest challenge.
Join us to hear about innovations in water and how they will impact water in the future. Presenters: Dean Amhaus, Executive Director, The Water Council

WQRF Poster Presentations
(4 - 4:30 pm)

It's the official unveiling of the 2024 WQRF Research Poster contest winners - join us as the winning students of the first David Loveday Memorial Poster contest share their findings with the Symposium audience.

Networking (4:30 - 6 pm)

Take some time to get-to-know your fellow attendees as well as some of our sponsors who have helped to make this event a reality. Stop by small vendor booths for a progressive experience of small bites, cocktails and conversation. Special thanks to the participation of our sponsors: xxxxxxxx and others for their support of the WQRF Symposium.