Water and wastewater professionals from across the state gathered recently in Hampton for the annual Virginia Section American Water Works Association (VAAWWA) conference.  The conference helps attendees to collaborate with peers, attend technical presentations and topical workshops, receive continuing education credits, and recognize state leaders in the water industry. 

This year’s theme was “Fluid Thinking” and focused on connecting the dots for optimal efficiencies, sustainability, and resiliency - thinking differently about water and the business of water.  Waterworks staff members presented four technical papers at the conference and participants were also able to tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, the HRSD York River Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Waterworks’ Lee Hall Water Treatment Plant.

Local high school seniors were invited to visit and learn more about career opportunities in the water industry and get a tour of the exhibit hall with selected exhibitors demonstrating their products. To give back to the environment, the Young Professional Committee organized a service project in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to help clean oyster shells recycled from area eateries and used them to help establish young oysters.