Take action and join a committee! WEAT offers a wide variety of specialized committees to its members. Committee connections provide members with a sense of camaraderie and mutual goals, which are especially rewarding at this time. Committees will be having open meetings the week of Texas Water 2026. Feel free to jump in and join any or as many of the meetings as you’re interested in and have time to attend.

Click the button below to view a a comprehensive schedule of committee meetings at Texas Water 2026.

WEAT's 3rd Quarter Board Meeting at Texas Water will see new officer elections for the 2026-27 term. The Board Meeting & Networking Event is open to anyone interested in getting involved with WEAT and will be held on-site at the George R. Brown Convention Center Room 360 on March 18, 2025 from 12:30 to 3:30 PM.

Tuesday, April 28, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM, Opening Session

Join us at the Opening General session for invited Keynote Rep. Josey Garcia.

Newly-elected to serve in the 88th Texas Legislature, Rep. Garcia is the first woman, active-duty veteran to serve in the Texas House. She represents West San Antonio's House District 124.

Being a former foster youth, Rep. Garcia attended 13 schools, and at the age of 16, signed up for the Delay Enlistment Program, securing her place in the U.S. Air Force, serving in deployments to Cameroon, Africa and Iraq, where she served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She retired after 20 years of a military career, and is now an active member of her westside community making San Antonio her forever home.

Since retiring in 2014, Rep. Garcia has become an author and community advocate. In 2020, she co-founded Uniting America Outreach, a nonprofit that has served 9,000+ meals during local crises and raised $50,000 for humanitarian aid at the border.

Watch the nation’s best operators and maintenance staff compete in the Operations Challenge Competition at Texas Water. This multi-day competition challenges utility teams to test their knowledge in different aspects of their day-to-day responsibilities. Operations Challenge is composed of five individual events that carry over to the national competition at WEFTEC. In addition, Texas has created additional exhibition events to provide other opportunities for teams to compete. The competitions include:

Freese and Nichols Process Controls Event: Teams will complete a written test consisting of short math and process scenario questions, electronic multiple-choice questions, and process simulation using GPS-X software of a WWTP.

Hartwell Environmental Laboratory Event: Analyzing and determining total suspended solids, conductivity / TDS and performing solids mass balance across a treatment system.

Walter Chiang Maintenance Event Sponsored by STV: The purpose of this event is to test the skills of a maintenance team to respond to trouble at a wastewater lift station that has resulted in an alarm. Teams will race to remove an operating Vaughan chopper pump, change the impellar, and put it back in service.

AECOM Collection System Event: Teams are required to cut out a section of an 8-inch PVC wastewater pipe with water flowing through it, drill and install a 4-inch service saddle in the replacement pipe, cut and install the replacement section with couplings. Construction of a Victualic pipe tree is also required.

Carollo Safety Event: Teams will be required to rescue unconscious workers from a lift station. Team members will set up a retrieval system, perform a permit-required confined space entry, rescue the downed worker, and change out flaps on a check valve.

Gupta Electrical Event: Teams will race to troubleshoot a lift station control panel and power supply.

Seepex Exhibition Event: Competitors will race to replace the stator and rotor in a Seepex Smart Conveying Technology (SCT) pump.

Victaulic Exhibition Event: A race to put together a style 31 coupling tree arrangement using Victaulic couplings, pipes, and drill drivers.

Grundfos Exhibition Event: Timed race for competitors to remove and replace a Grundfos pump cartirdge.

Adurra Fastest Saw Cut: Who can saw through sewer pipe the fastest - Individual and relay saw cut for teams of three, with the fastest four teams advancing to the playoffs.

Anyone can sign up and join us for the premier Fastest Saw Cut event. Individuals can race to see how fast they can cut a 6" PVC pipe with a hand saw. The fastest person receives $100, a trophy, and top bragging rights. The competition includes a Utility Management Division, pitting utility executives head-to-head in a bracket competition. After than, an open competition with men's and women's divisions, and a Pro Division. Sign up today at the link below.

The Fastest Saw Cut will occur at 3:30 pm on Tuesday, April 28.

Anyone can sign up for this! Teams of two will compete head to head in a GPS-X Simulator and process test for WWTPs.

Sign up at the link below:

Congratulate the best performing teams in each competition event, along with the overall winners, at the Operations Challenge Awards Ceremony, on Wednesday, April 29 from 2:45 to 3:45 PM in the Convention Center.

The Operations Awards Ceremony will also see the announcement of the Biosolids Beauty Contest winners, and other WEAT Operations Awardees.

The Biosolids Beauty Contest returns at Texas Water 2026 and will be held on Tuesday, April 28 from 3:00 to 3:30 PM in the Exhibit Hall.

Categories include Class B, Class A/AB, Overall Winner, People’s Choice and Most Creative Presentation.

Click the button below for more information and to sign up.

Tuesday, April 28, 9 AM to 1:30 PM

The WEAT Student Design Competition (SDC) gives students the opportunity to design and present a project based on a real-world wastewater treatment plant design problem. Students will be competing to represent WEAT at the Student Design Competition in New Orleans at WEFTEC 2026.

The prompt this year is based on the John T. Hickerson Water Reclamation Facility, which is owned and operated by El Paso Water. Students shall propose design alternatives to treat increased levels of influent BOD, increased peak flows, and operational challenges.

Come out and support your alma mater or see some prospective future leaders in the industry! This year teams from Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston, the University of Texas at El Paso, and Texas State University will compete. Thank you to our sponsors!

Wednesday, April 29, 7:15 AM - 9:00 AM

Ticket required

The Annual Women of Water Breakfast will feature three dynamic panel members who will share their career stories, leadership successes and challenges, their thoughts on work-life integration, mentorship, and much more.

This year’s Breakfast will feature a panel moderated by Delaine Mathieu, a former veteran news anchor and 5-time Emmy-winning journalist. Participating will be Stacey Allison Steinbach, Executive Director Texas Water Association; Brooke Paup, Chairwoman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and L’Oreal Stepney, Chairwoman of the Texas Water Development Board.

We look forward to having you join us for breakfast as these women showcase the difference women can make in our water community, while also providing a forum for future leaders to network with seasoned professionals.

Entrance is included with Full Registration. Access can be added on for $50 if purchased by April 7; $60 after.

Thursday, April 30, 8:00 AM

Attendees can add to their Texas Water 2026 experience by registering for one of the three Thursday morning tours. Cost is $35 if purchased by April 7; $40 thereafter.

Option 1: SAWS H2Oaks Center

Option 2: Exploring San Antonio's Watershed - A Tour of Flood Control and Creek Restoration Projects

Options 3: Innovative Technologies at Gruene Reclamation Facilities & Trinity Membrane Treatment Plant

Monday, April 27 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM

With a blend of professionalism and genuine enthusiasm, the Curtis Smalley Environmental Event aims to inspire, educate, and foster connections among water enthusiasts, passionate about safeguarding our water resources. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a collective effort that will continue the legacy of this cherished event.

The 2026 event will be held in partnership with the San Antonio River Authority on Monday, April 27, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Confluence Park along Mission Reach—an 8-mile section of the San Antonio River that connects four of the city’s Spanish colonial missions. We will be cleaning up litter and planting native species to help keep the parks beautiful and safe for visitors and wildlife. We will also be collecting photos of wildlife for the worldwide 2026 City Nature Challenge, a global “bioblitz” competition in which San Antonio was #2 in the world in 2025! Work gloves, tools and supplies will be provided along with light breakfast and refreshments. Come prepared to get dirty as we help maintain the natural beauty of the river! The park is located South of Downtown San Antonio. Transportation is not provided, but there is limited free parking. Please consider carpooling if possible. If you would like to volunteer, sign up online at www.txwater.org (under “Events”) and be sure to also sign the waiver.

Tuesday, April 28 6:00 AM check in; 7:00 AM start time

The Dodson Drive Fun Run supports young professionals in the Texas water industry by raising funds to support the TAWWA/WEAT Dodson Drive Fund. The Dodson Drive Fund, established in 2011 to honor the late Kenneth Dodson, provides scholarships for young professionals and funding to send our young professionals to the annual Young Professionals Summit.

This year’s Fun Run is a 5K course starting on the San Antonio River at (220 E) Nueva Street, a short walk from the convention center and hotels. Participants will run along a scenic route adjacent to the San Antonio River. The route is perfect for a morning run, offering participants a chance to experience the relaxed atmosphere of the San Antonio River through the Historic King William and Blue Star neighborhoods. All teams and paid participants will be chip timed and receive a performance t-shirt. All finishers will also receive their very own finisher’s ribbon to wear on your Texas Water badge. Awards will be given to the fastest male and female overall runners, fastest male and female masters runners, fastest YP male and female runners and the fastest team. Sign up at www.txwater.org! Don’t miss being a part of this conference tradition!

Tuesday, April 28 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Ticket Required

Enjoy a great meal with your colleagues at the Awards Lunch. The luncheon will feature the first of the conference award ceremonies, recognizing some of the longtime leaders of our water/wastewater community. Your ticket to the luncheon is included with Full or Tuesday-Only Registration. Additional tickets are available for $75 on or before April 7; $85 after.

Wednesday, April 29 12:00 to 1:05 PM

Texas Water will honor WEAT and TAWWA friends and colleagues who have demonstrated their commitment to the water and wastewater profession. This fast-paced, live and fun event will take place in Hemisfair Ballroom C 1/2. Box Lunches will be made available to attendees.

Wednesday, April 29, 6:15 PM to 8:30 PM

Ticket required

Our conference night out event will take place at The Espee, San Antonio's beautifully restored Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, originally opened in 1902.

Shuttle buses will leave from the Hyatt Grand Regency Conference Hotel beginning at 6 pm. The Gavel Passing ceremony will begin at 6:15 pm.

Access to the Conference Night Out is included with Full Registration. Additional access is available for purchase at the cost of $100 by April 7; $110 after.

The Espee is located at 1174 E. Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX 78205 and is within walking distance from the conference convention center.

Tuesday, April 28 - Wednesday, April 29

All net proceeds from the silent auction benefit Water For People, a global non-profit with a revolutionary mission of water and sanitation for every family, every school, and every clinic!! Water For People insists on remaining for generations, gaining district-wide matching support, employing locals, and empowering women. Their motto is “Everyone Forever” and the model they employ to execute programs and projects ensures long-lasting, sustainable impacts to communities. To donate an auction item, visit www.txwater.org.

Monday, April 27, 4:30 to 6:30 PM

Texas Water attendees Meet & Greet in the Exhibit Hall at the Henry B. González Convention Center for refreshments.

Registration opens at 4 p.m., along with the full Exhibit Hall. Texas Water 2026 hosts the largest regional water exhibition on the continent. More than 600 exhibit booths are in one place, at one time, in the convention center.

Wednesday, April 29th 1:10 to 5:00 PM & Thursday, April 30th 8:30 am to 12:00 pm

Young Professionals will share their knowledge and experiences on an array of matters aimed at engaging YPs and seasoned professionals alike. Reference the program lineup for details.

Tuesday, April 28, 5:15 PM to 5:30 PM

This special ceremony will recognize the outstanding achievements and hard work of the winners of the WEAT and TAWWA Student Design Competitions, the University Forum, and Dodson Drive Fun Run, setting the stage for an evening of inspiration and connection. The celebration will seamlessly be followed by the YP, Students and Mentors Networking Event. All are welcome!

Wednesday, April 29, 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

The Texas Water Engineer’s Ethics Seminar is an interactive and thought-provoking session led by Bob Pence and Gina Smith from Freese and Nichols, Inc. While earning one Professional Development Hour and satisfying the annual ethics requirement, you will learn to recognize ethical situations faced by engineers, analyze the issues of ethical situations, and discuss how to resolve ethical situations in a creative and professional manner. There is no additional fee or need to pre-register for this training.