This year’s Water Conservation Showcase has already featured nine webinar sessions, reaching over 1,500 virtual attendees. The recent panel, "How to Build Your Career in the Water Industry," provided information about how to enter and advance various water career paths.

Featured speakers

The panel began with a presentation from Michael Kushner from BAYWORK, a consortium of Bay Area water and wastewater utilities collaborating to ensure a reliable workforce. He reviewed a variety of water conservation and other mission-critical water utility careers. These careers provide stability, a living wage, excellent benefits and the opportunity to serve your community while protecting the environment. Kushner also provided training and career resources for those seeking work in the water sector.

The forum also included Ashley Shannon, a Water Conservation Specialist with Valley Water, and Earnest Salgado, a Utility Analyst with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. Each reviewed their personal career paths leading to their current positions in the public sector implementing water conservation programs, the education they needed to enter the workforce, what they learned on the job, and career resources, internship and training opportunities available at their utilities.

Lindsey Fransen from Vertex One, a technology firm that owns WaterSmart Software, discussed her career path from the public to the private sector. Her career in water started in a regulatory capacity and is now focused on using technology to support water conservation. Fransen discussed how Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) data supports customer engagement, the relevant skills and experience required to succeed in her position, and the benefits of pivoting between sectors, which encourages cross pollination of ideas.

The last day of sessions is on Aug. 25, and registration is still open.

Final events lineup

From 9–10:20 a.m., The California State of Onsite Water Reuse panel will feature Taylor Chang, Lauren Swezey and Andrew Tranovich discussing onsite treatment as a safe, cost-effective strategy that has proven effective in reducing the need for potable water and the energy consumed in its delivery.

From 10:30–11:50 a.m., Emerging Technologies in the Water Sector with panelists Robb Barnitt and Luke Sires will provide a look at how automated metering infrastructure is being used to improve customer engagement and water analytics.

From 12–1:20 p.m. the Laundry-to-Landscape Workshop with panelists Justin Burks and Earnest Salgado will review two Laundry-to-Landscape Programs, featuring highlights, overall results, lessons learned and the process of installing laundry-to-landscape graywater systems.

Since 2004, the Water Conservation Showcase has brought together experts, innovative products and services, and the sustainable development community to address water conservation topics including policies, rebates, business case studies, treatment innovations, stormwater management, low-impact development, water supply history and water reuse solutions. The annual showcase is organized through the combined efforts of USGBC Northern California, Pacific Gas & Electric, East Bay Municipal Utility District, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, AIA San Francisco and San Jose Water.

Register for the last Water Conservation Showcase sessions

2020 Water Conservation Showcase reaches a wide audience (USGBC Northern California)