MEDIA ALERT: Water-AI Nexus™ Stage at WEFTEC 2026 Features Tech, Water and Utility Leaders Addressing Data Center Growth, Policy, and Cybersecurity

NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Water-AI Nexus™ Stage hosted at the New Orleans Convention Center, from Sept. 28-30th, offers credentialed media access to industry experts across water and AI.

TO REGISTER FOR A MEDIA PASS:

Local or broadcast media interested in attending the Water-AI Nexus Stage at WEFTEC 2026 can request credentials via the WEFTEC online press room or can register via this direct link.

WHAT:

The Water-AI Nexus™ Center of Excellence is hosting three days of interactive panel sessions at WEFTEC 2026, the Water Environment Federation's annual exhibition and conference. The programming brings together global technology leaders, water advocates, researchers, municipal utilities, and policymakers to address the rapidly evolving intersection of water and artificial intelligence.

Sessions span both sides of the Water-AI Nexus, including how utilities are implementing AI today, the policies and governance shaping its adoption, sustainable approaches to data center growth, alternative water supplies, cybersecurity, and collaboration between the water and technology sectors.

WHERE: Exhibition Hall G, Booth 6310, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 28 – Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026

Featured Sessions:

Monday, September 28

• State of the Industry: Water and AI (10:00–10:45 a.m. CST)
  
  Speakers: Ralph Exton (Water Environment Federation), Sonora Hill (Amazon), Kishia Powell (WSSC Water, Leading Utilities of the World), Howard Neukrug (Water Center at Penn).
• How 18 Utility Leaders are Using AI (11:00-11:30 a.m. CST)
  
  Speakers: Angela Charles (Charlotte Water), Matt Kennelly ( LOTT Clean Water Alliance) | Moderator: Peiffer Brandt (Raftelis)
• Federal & State Perspectives on AI: Policy, Innovation, and the Future of Water (11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. CST)
  
  Speakers: Pouya Lavian (U.S. EPA), Anthony DeRosa (ASDWA) | Moderator: Corey Williams (WEF Board of Trustees)

Tuesday, September 29

• Delivering AI to Manage the Water That Delivers AI (12:45–1:30 p.m. CST)
  
  Speakers: Gert Van der Walt (Amazon), Anne LeGuennec (Veolia), Snehal Desai (Xylem), Bernard Koh (Singapore PUB)
• From Digital Twins to AI Agents: What Water Utilities Are Implementing Now (1:45–2:30 p.m. CST)
  
  Speakers: Amber Boone (SOCWA), Jeff Sparks (HRSD), Kate Newhart (Oregon State University) | Moderator: Prabhu Chandrasekeran (Arcadis)
• Meeting Water Demands through Collaboration: Planning for Growth in the AI Era (2:45–3:30 p.m. CST)
  
  Speakers: Joseph Danyluk (Jacobs), John Newsome (Columbus Water & Power) | Moderator: Howard Neukrug (Penn Water Center)
• AI, Data Centers, and Water Security: The Role of Alternative Water Supply in Powering the Digital Economy (3:45–4:15 p.m. CST)
  
  Speakers: John Hanula (Stantec), Snehal Desai (Xylem), Pete Oveson (Trojan Technologies) | Moderators: Shannon McCarthy (IDRA), Bruno Pigott (WateReuse Association)

Wednesday, September 30

• Advancing AI for Stormwater and Collection Systems: From Theory to Implementation (9:00–9:30 a.m. CST)
  
  Speakers: Eric Harold (Carollo Engineers), Oluwole McFoy (Houston Public Works) | Moderator: Andrew Collier (Autodesk)
• Rethinking Data Center Cooling Through Heat Recovery (9:45–10:15 a.m. CST)
  
  Speakers: Elizabeth Mitchell (HDR), Brad Carter (Alfa Laval) | Moderator: Lauren Barbir (HDR)
• Powering AI: Enabling Responsible Data Centers (10:30–11:00 a.m. CST)
  
  Speakers: Greta L. Zornes (CDM Smith), Jon Koomey (Koomey Analytics) | Moderator: John Ikeda (Water Environment Federation)
• Protecting Water Systems in the Age of AI-Powered Cyber Threats (11:15–11:45 a.m. CST)
  
  Speakers: Kevin Leach (Vanderbilt University), Charles Stephens (National Rural Water Association) | Moderator: Susi Ricker (WWEMA)

About the Water-AI Nexus™ Center of Excellence

Founded by the Water Environment Federation, Amazon, The Water Center at the University of Pennsylvania, and Leading Utilities of the World, the Water-AI Nexus™ Center of Excellence is a global knowledge hub dedicated to developing sustainable water practices for AI infrastructure while harnessing artificial intelligence to solve critical water challenges.

Trinity Foreman, Director of Communications with the Water Environment Federation, tforeman@wef.org

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SOURCE Water Environment Federation