2022 Program
View recording of all sessions
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SCHEDULE & SESSIONS​
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Approved for 13.5 total GBCI CE credits and AIA LU.
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DAY ONE - July 20
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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
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
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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
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