Luncheon Description: Water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) are challenged with continually improving effluent quality under constraints of water scarcity, increasing load, energy reduction requirements, rising costs, and limited real estate for expansion. Membrane aerated biofilm reactors (MABR) have become an attractive solution for process intensification given their ability to increase treatment capacity and improve effluent quality within an existing footprint. The presentation will introduce the MABR process and include case studies illustrating how MABRs can be a great solution to meet stringent regulations on a tight timeline or constrained site, due to their modular nature, low footprint, and the ability to be installed without disrupting existing basin operations.
Presenter: Becca Chapa is a Wastewater Process Engineer at Black & Veatch; she helps WRRFs across the nation optimize processes and consider alternatives to meet treatment goals and upcoming regulations using data-driven decision making tools and process modeling software. Becca assists in the conceptual and design phase of projects, operational troubleshooting support, and process start-up support. Becca is a Colorado C certified plant operator and serves as the PWO Co-Chair and a trustee in RMWEA.
Please join us for the January meeting of the Utility Management Committee. Tim Medearis from Autodesk will share some tips and tricks for using AI for hydraulic modeling. more info...
Come join this bowling happy hour to meet folks in a different corner of the water industry! Water quality and water quantity have had separate legal frameworks which has lead to separate industries developing. That being said, we still rely heavily on each others' work and nature never has cared much for human laws.
Let's break down some barriers over bowling, food, and drink!
Shout out to this event sponsor, HDR Engineering!
The Water and Wastewater Fundamentals School is a basic, comprehensive overview for water and wastewater operators. The goal of the Fundamentals School is to provide education for operators, so they possess a better understanding of the water and wastewater fields. The courses are designed to furnish water professionals with basic concepts of how treatment processes work and the requirements of government regulations. It is designed to benefit those seeking Class "C," "D," "T," and "S" certifications.
Event Summary: RMWEA Fundamental School Start Date: February 2, 2026 End Date:February 6, 2026 Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:
Delta Hotels Denver Thornton for 119.00 USD per night
If you reserve your room after January 8th, prices are subject to change. Our block rate will have expired, and rooms will be booked at the current general price.
The Innovative Water Technology Committee is pleased to invite you to our biggest event of the year – the Annual Innovation Seminar! This in-person gathering will take place on Thursday, February 5th, 2026, at the CSU Spur Campus in Denver, CO.
This year’s event will center on the cutting edge of resource recovery, bringing together the brightest minds and passionate professionals from across the water sector – including utilities, regulators, consultants, operators, engineers, lab experts, academics, and more - to collaborate and discuss our industry’s most pressing challenges.
We are also thrilled to announce that this year’s keynote speaker will be local biosolids expert, Becky Luna.
Registration includes:
A light breakfast and delicious lunch will be served to keep us energized.
Several networking breaks and a happy hour.
Seminar sessions on resource recovery, biogas reuse, emerging contaminants, and updates on state-of-the-art local research.
An exclusive tour opportunity is available onsite.
TUs are offered for attendance at the full event.
Agenda:
8:00 - 8:30 AM Coffee & Sign in
8:30 - 10:00 AM Welcome & Keynote from Becky Luna
10:00 - 11:00 AM Biogas Enrichment and Beneficial Reuse
11:00 - 11:30 AM Special Session with NREL
11:30 - 1:30 Lunch & an Exclusive Onsite Tour Opportunity
1:30 - 2:45 PM Utility Experiences in Resource Recovery
2:45 - 4:00 PM Challenges in Biosolids Management
4:00 - 4:30 PM Shark Tank Update & Closing Remarks
4:30 - 6:00 PM Happy Hour
Fees:
Member $200
Nonmember $230
Steering Board Member $100
Speaker $100
First Ten Students - FREE
The seminar will be held in the Hydro Building at CSU Spur Campus (4777 National Western Drive, Denver, CO 80216). There is free parking! A light breakfast will be available, along with coffee throughout the day. Lunch will be provided. An IWT-sponsored happy hour will follow the seminar in the Hydro Building atrium.
Elevate your expertise in water and wastewater treatment with the in-person, hands-on courses led by industry experts. Designed for water professionals eager to deepen their knowledge, this school allows attendees to ask personalized questions, exchange insights with peers, and immediately apply practical skills to their work. Come find out why people from all across North America attend this renowned school!
utilities, regulators, consultants, operators, engineers, lab experts, academics, and more - to collaborate and discuss our industry’s most pressing challenges.