WaterSmart Highlights the Need for Water Conservation
International water conservation experts, inventors, businesses and world leaders gathered at the second annual WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Expo to discuss solutions to the water challenges facing much of the world, and to share the latest in water-efficiency technology.
The conference returned to Las Vegas, Nevada for it's second year, a fitting location for the topics discussed. WSI drew an audience of over 1,000 from around the globe, with participants traveling from 42 states and 12 foreign nations.
"It's exciting to know that water experts from around the world took advantage of this opportunity to interact with their counterparts from so many different nations and backgrounds," said program Chairman Doug Bennett.
"We believe this was time well spent for all who came to WSI, as sharing creativity and knowledge in an atmosphere of collaboration is the catalyst for finding innovative approaches to the water efficiency challenges we all face," Bennett said.
130 professional sessions in a variety of tracks were offered to attendees, as well as an expo hall featuring 100 exhibitors from around the world.
Dave Viola, Director of Special Services for IAPMO, provided a presentation on the Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement. The document was well received, with water utility and other water professionals expressing interest in bringing it to their jurisdictions for consideration.
Pete Demarco, IAPMO Director of Special Programs, and Mary Ann Dickenson, Alliance for Water Efficiency Executive Director, gave a presentation on the PERC initiative. PERC, or the Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition, is a coalition founded to develop research projects that will support the development of water efficiency and sustainable plumbing products, systems and practices.
The conference also featured keynote addresses by Dan Bena, international sustainability director for PepsiCo, and by Dr. Jim Gill, inaugural chairman of Water Australia and past CEO of the Water Corporation of Western Australia. A video interview with Gill provides his insights on how Australians are managing the drought.
Technical tours to Hoover Dam and the Springs Preserve highlighted Southern Nevada's water-efficiency practices and water resources.
The third WSI conference and expo is slated for Oct. 6-8, 2010, at the South Point Hotel and Conference Center. Deadline for submitting abstracts: Friday, January 15, 2010.
More information is available at www.WaterSmartInnovations.com. |
