REGISTER

Attend the 19th Annual Water Conservation Showcase online on July 20, 27, August 3, and 10, 2022.

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*You will need to log-in/register for a free PG&E Energy Center account and sign up for all nine sessions or register individually.

Water is a limited natural resource heavily impacted by the built environment.

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Using sustainable practices in a building's development speaks to

the triple bottom line — people, profit & planet. 

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Since 2004, hundreds of advocates, researchers, business leaders, product manufacturers and government officials have gathered every year to address the most pressing water issues and challenges facing the state of California. Grab a ticket today for the showcase to learn more about scalable strategies and solutions to conserve one of Earth's most precious resources.

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2022 PROGRAM

SCHEDULE & SESSIONS​

2022 Schedule

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Approved for 13.5 total GBCI CE credits and AIA LU.

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DAY ONE - July 20

Water-Energy Nexus in California: New research and tools

Speaker: Heather Cooley, Director of Research, Pacific Institute;

Jeff Sage-Lauck, SBW Consulting, Inc.

Host: Ryan Stroupe

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This course is approved for 1.5 General GBCI CE hours and for 1.5 AIA LU.

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Presentation will focus on a recent study from the Pacific Institute and Next 10 that examines how the energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) footprints of California’s future water scenarios will be influenced by the combined effects of electricity decarbonization and other emerging pressures. Session will also explore the Water-Energy Calculator 2.0, a tool that quantifies the embedded energy savings for water efficiency measures that was developed through a partnership between the CPUC, Pacific Institute and SBW Consulting.

7/20/22 |  9:00 am - 10:30 am PT

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Plant Talk: Your landscape questions answered

Speakers: Cielo Sichi, Principal Landscape Architect and Professor, Landfour Landscape Architecture;

Sarah Sutton, Landscape Architect, ReScape Rater, Author, EcosDesign Studio;

Christine Schneider, Senior Planner, Contra Costa Water District 

Host: Ryan Stroupe

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This course is approved for 1.5 General GBCI CE hours and for 1.5 AIA LU.

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Styled after NPR’s long-running and popular “Car Talk” program, this session is designed to address landscape, garden and plant questions from attendees. We will also include a guest panelist, a garden-based puzzler and a “stump the chumps” segment with prizes if you win! If you are unfamiliar with “Car Talk”, go here: https://www.cartalk.com/ All past Plant Talk sessions are available on demand here: http://www.pge.com/energyclasses

7/20/22 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm PT

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DAY TWO - July 27

Home Water Makeovers: Solutions for all budgets

Speakers: Bill McDonnell, Manager, Water Efficiency, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California;

Claire Nordlie, Water Conservation Coordinator, City of Santa Rosa;

Veronica Blette, WaterSense program manager, USEPA; 

Host: Charles Bohlig

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This course is approved for 1.5 General GBCI CE hours and for 1.5 AIA LU.

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In this session, our expert panel will explore a wide range of residential water conservation strategies. The panel will begin with simple tried-and-true conservation recommendations with little or no investment required. As the presentation progresses, the speakers will introduce strategies that push the boundaries of both innovation and cost to fully demonstrate what can be achieved in the world of residential water conservation.

7/27/22 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am PT

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Case Studies in Water Efficient Design and Building Management

Speakers: Eric Hough, Chief Commercial Officer, Epic Cleantec;

Katie Ackerly, Principal, David Baker Architects;

Jennifer Acton, Director of Utility Systems, San Francisco International Airport
Host: Mark Kelly

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This course is approved for 1.5 General GBCI CE hours and for 1.5 AIA LU.

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Presentation will explore three water conservation case studies: a multifamily and mixed use residential project located in Oakland, a high-rise residential tower in San Francisco, and the San Francisco International Airport complex. Strategies discussed will include water recycling systems; stormwater retention and treatment; re-use greywater for toilets, irrigation and laundry; high-efficiency fixture replacements; Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI); leak detection and mitigation; and reductions in landscape irrigation.

7/27/22 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm PT

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DAY THREE - August 3

Innovative Sources for Water in an Age of Limited Supply

Speakers: Meagan Mauter, Research Director, National Alliance for Water Innovation; Associate Professor, Stanford University;

Taylor Nokhoudian, Water resources program manager, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

Host: Julie Ortiz

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This course is approved for 1.5 General GBCI CE hours and for 1.5 AIA LU.

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Increasing pressure on water supply and water quality are leading many water users to explore non-traditional water sources from seawater and brackish groundwater to wastewater reuse and atmospheric water harvesting. This presentation will review non-traditional water sources, their unique treatment needs, and their role in a complete water portfolio.

8/3/22 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am PT

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Climate Change and California’s Water Future

Speakers:  Erica Siirila-Woodburn, Research Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Benjamin Bray, Senior Civil Engineer, East Bay Municipal Utility District

Host: Geneva Gondak

This course is approved for 1.5 General GBCI CE hours and for 1.5 AIA LU.

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Climate change is exacerbating water availability concerns in California and the Western United States. This presentation will address potential impacts of climate change on snowpack and future water supply. Speakers Dr. Erica Siirila-Woodburn and Dr. Benjamin Bray will present research on climate change impacts on future water availability broadly within the Western U.S., and more specifically within the Mokelumne Watershed and the EBMUD water system.

8/3/22 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm PT

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Cannabis Goes Green: Water and energy conservation at new grow facilities

Speakers: Whitney Ray, Supervisor of Water Conservation, East Bay Municipal Utility District;

Ethan Clifford, Engineering Manager, ERI;

Chris Castle, Flora & Flame

Host: Jolene Bertetto

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This course is approved for 1.5 General GBCI CE hours and for 1.5 AIA LU.

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The cannabis industry is growing at a rapid rate in California and grow facilities are particularly intense consumers of water and energy. This panel presentation will cover water and energy conservation strategies including hydroponic irrigation best practices, water recovery systems, enhanced water treatment, interconnection to HVAC system operation, energy-efficient lighting, and optimized growing techniques. Conservation strategies covered will include hydroponic irrigation best practices, water recovery systems, enhanced water treatment, interconnection to HVAC system operation, energy-efficient lighting, and optimized growing techniques.

8/3/22 | 1:00 pm  - 2:30 pm PT

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DAY FOUR - August 4

Watershed Walk at Lafayette Reservoir

Speakers: Obi Kaufmann, Author, naturalist and artist, The California Field Atlas;

Han Barrett-Liu, Park Ranger, EBMUD

Host: East Bay Municipal Utility District

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This course is approved for 1.5 General GBCI CE hours and for 1.5 AIA LU.

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Join us on Thursday, August 4th from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. for a social and educational walk around East Bay Municipal Utility District’s Lafayette Reservoir, with author of The California Field Atlas Obi Kaufmann and EBMUD ranger/naturalist Han Barret-Liu. Participants will walk the paved 2.7 mile loop around the reservoir, with guides Kaufmann and Barret-Liu sharing stories and highlighting interesting aspects of the reservoir and surrounding watershed. Participants will learn about the Lafayette Reservoir watershed, including history of the reservoir, common plants and wildlife, and how this reservoir and watershed are representative of our greater water system. The walk will conclude with a networking happy hour to convene with other folks interested in water conservation. Registered participants will receive a parking pass for the reservoir.

8/4/22 | 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm PT

FULLY ENROLLED

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DAY FIVE - August 10

Obi Kaufmann: Understanding water through art, science, and ecology
Speaker: Obi Kaufmann, Author, naturalist and artist, The California Field Atlas 

Host: Orrin Goldsby

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This course is approved for 1.5 General GBCI CE hours and for 1.5 AIA LU.

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Renowned author, naturalist and artist, Obi Kaufmann will share insights on how to synthesize scientific information with an artistic perspective to better understand the many stressors currently impacting California's landscape and watersheds. Mr. Kauffman will explore the interconnection of water, fire, biology, and justice as part of this presentation. Obi Kaufmann's publications including "The State of Water: Understanding California's Most Precious Resource" can be found online at https://californiafieldatlas.com/

8/10/22 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am PT

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Communicating on Water Conservation: Influencing consumer behavior

Speakers: Brooke Tully, Behavior Change Marketer, Brooke Tully, LLC;

Betsy Lauppe Rhodes, Senior Communications Manager, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; Nelsy Rodriguez, Public Information Representative, East Bay Municipal Utility District

Host: Kurt Elvert

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This course is approved for 1.5 General GBCI CE hours and for 1.5 AIA LU.

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We need more people to do more to protect the planet and our limited resources. Yet, we regularly struggle with how to communicate our initiatives and calls-to-action in a way that truly resonates with our audiences and customers. This webinar presentation will review motivation strategies that can shift public behavior and explore the public outreach campaigns of two California water utilities that encourage customers to conserve water during our ongoing drought.

8/10/22 | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm PT

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2022 WCS: Product Innovation Spotlight

Speakers: Michael Campbell, Director of Business Development at Niagara; Joseph Miller, Owner of ConserveTrack LLC; Aron Roberts, consultant with High Sierra Showerheads.

Join innovative companies in learning about new technologies and trends in water conservation products. Short presentations will be followed by Q&A with the audience. Join the Water Conservation Showcase for our first Product Innovation Spotlight!

Water utilities in the West are under extreme pressure to reduce water use and be as efficient as possible. Joseph Miller, with ConserveTrack LLC, will discuss how available software tools are effective resources for water conservation program managers and implementers. The right tools mean more water savings and more accurate evaluation of program effectiveness.

According to the EPA, toilets and their leaks can use about 30% of household water, and showers and taps can use another 40%. A toilet’s flushing technology can make a large difference in the amount of water used but deciding which of the three flush technologies to use can be challenging. Michael Campbell, from Niagara, will briefly walk the audience through how all three technologies work and provide insight on when and how each should be applied based on the type and needs of the property.

There are over 11,000 EPA WaterSense-labeled shower heads. Yet, fewer than 1% have flows of just 1.25 gallons per minute (gpm) or less. Making a satisfying spray while using 50% less water than most competing products has been a profound challenge. Aron Roberts, a consultant to High Sierra Showerheads, will discuss the competitive landscape, as well as design considerations facing High Sierra's owner, David Malcolm, inventor of two such products.

 8/10/22, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm PT

REGISTRATION FOR THIS SESSION

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2022 SPEAKERS

name link will go to profile, picture link will go their session

Gold

Standard Exhibitor

2022 OUTREACH PARTNERS

EcologyAction            EBMUD           BAYWORK            California Water Efficiency Partnership            Sustainable Silicon Valley

San Francisco Department of the Environment (Green Business Program)                David Baker Architects              DLR Group

Kerman Morris Architects             StopWaste              San Francisco State University - Department of Geography & Environment

Maddaus Water Management             California Public Policy Institute             Pacific Institute              Sustainable Contra Costa

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California Academy of Sciences

Virtual Exhibitor Packet & Raffle
The Water Conservation Showcase Raffle includes over $1000 in prizes! For a chance to win, visit the WCS Exhibitor Page entry form and complete the WCS attendee survey. The grand prize is a private guided tour of the StopWaste’s Altamont property featuring a carbon farming research project, a Niagara Ultra-High-Efficiency Toilet, gift cards to High Sierra Showerheads, and more!

SPONSOR
the 2022 Water Conservation Showcase

Q: Who can attend? 

A: Everyone is invited to attend. All Water Conservation Showcase education is free to the public. This is made possible through the work of the Water Conservation Showcase partners AIA SF COTE, East Bay Municipal Utility District, San Francisco Public Utilities, San Jose Water, Pacific Gas & Electric, USGBC Northern California, and showcase sponsors. Stay tuned for the launch of the full 2022 program and registration.

Q: Are there sponsorship opportunities? 

A: We welcome your support and partnership. Reach out to Melanie Colburn, USGBC Director of Market Transformation & Development (mcolburn@usgbc.org).

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Q: Will this be in-person or virtual? 

A: The Showcase will be virtual to support public health priorities. In addition, there will be some in-person opportunities announced.   

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Q: Will continuing education credits be available?

A: Yes, we will be offering GBCI and AIA continuing education hours for most sessions.

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Q: How can I help promote the Showcase?

A: Thank you for helping to spread the word! You can access event logos here. With a variety of images that can be used to make your messages pop, there is something for everyone. We will continue to update this folder so keep checking back. Invite your colleagues and share with your network on social media.

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Q: Can you remind me how to join the Showcase? I registered but can’t find my log-in information.

A: Thank you for registering. You will receive an email from the PG&E Pacific Energy Center with details to join the Showcase.

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Q: Do I need to register for each session separately?

A: You will need to log-in/register for a free PG&E Energy Center account and sign up individually for each of the eight sessions you wish to attend. Search “2022 WCS” to find all webinar sessions.

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Steps To Register:

1. If you’ve attended a PG&E online learning session in the past select “Sign In” or “Forgot your password,” if new to the site select “Register.”

2. Complete registration and select “Save Changes”, select “Confirm” in pop-up.

3. Search “2022 WCS” to see all eight Water Conservation Showcase sessions.

4. Click on the session you’d like to attend, select the session in the right-side drop down and click “Enroll.”

5. Close the pop-up. Search “2022 WCS” to again see all sessions and repeat process for all sessions you’d like to attend.

6. If you registered for the first time; you will need to create a password be selecting “Forgot your password” next time you log-in.

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ARTICLES:

A vision of ecological preservation for California’s water use 

Take a California watershed walk and connect around conservation

Attend Webinar Home Water Solutions All Budgets