​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. 
Join the Water Quality Research Foundation for an impactful one-day Symposium on Monday, March 4, 2024 designed to educate scientific and technical water stakeholders on issues in water today, including PFAS contamination, water resiliency and innovation.
Don’t miss the presentations, conversations and panel discussions that will engage and challenge your thinking on issues important in water today.

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 use the links below.  

Please Note: If you are interested in registering for ONLY WQRF Symposium, please call 1-774-247-4022 or email [email protected].

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 US Geological Survey (USGS) assembled a team to sample tap water throughout the US for regulated and unregulated contaminants.  The last eight years of research on drinking water has yielded data on the occurrence of contaminant mixtures, including the presence of PFAS also known as "forever chemicals".  Join us as the USGS shares their findings and how their work continues to inform communities, public health researchers and other government agencies about what is happening in US tap water.
​ Presenters: Kelly Smalling, Research Hydrologist
Dr. Paul Bradley, Research Hydrologist/Ecologist Co-Leads, USGS Environmental Health Program

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.
Presenters: Dr. Timothy Townsend, University of Florida; Sarah Meyer, COO, Enspired Technologies
Joe Jacangelo, VP and Director of Research, Stantec

PFAS, a Matinee and a Legal Debrief (12:30 pm)

WQRF has partnered with the World Water Film Festival to share the world premiere of the documentary, Sludge.  After the short film, attorney and PFAS Litigator, Ashley Campbell, will lead us through a conversation and share experiences about representing various states and drinking water suppliers against PFAS polluters happening throughout the United States.
 Sludge: A PFAS Uprising Addresses the Issue of Toxic Forever Chemicals Through the
Backdrop of Their Impact on Small Family Farmers in Maine.

Resiliency in Water: Preparing for Climate Change and Disaster  (2:00 - 3:00 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, Aquamor;  Dr. Andrew Whelton, Purdue University; Eva Velez, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers

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

The Water Council in Milwaukee is leading the way with their National Science Foundation grant-funded Resiliency Innovation Engine.  Join us to learn more about their work to help industry and utilities adapt and scale quickly to the challenges brought by Climate change.​ Learn additional insights  from AWWA's Water 2050 Initiative with  Presenters: Dean Amhaus, Executive Director, The Water Council; Joe Jacangelo, VP and Director of Research, Stantec

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 our Presenting Sponsor:

Special thanks to Retego Labs for their support of WQRF and the screening of the film, Sludge.​

Supporting Sponsors:


Special Thanks to the World Water Film Festival
for granting a special screening of a 2024 Festival Submission during our Symposium.
​