Groundwater in the PFAS Era: Stressors, Protection, and Compliance (conference #5010)

Date: April 16- 17, 2024
Location: Tucson, Arizona
CEUs: 12.5 contact hours/1.25 CEUs

Overview:

The chemistry and environmental behavior of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), combined with recent and proposed regulatory actions and toxicological uncertainties, create significant challenges for groundwater management and protection. This NGWA conference provides a forum to share best science and state-of-the-practice approaches to address PFAS contamination while maintaining groundwater’s essential roles for drinking water, agriculture, environmental, and other purposes. The conference provides an opportunity to share lessons learned in addressing this high-profile and rapidly evolving issue.

View the full conference schedule here.

Keynote speaker

brusseau-mark Mark Brusseau, Ph.D., Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, the Geological Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America, will present the keynote address. Brusseau’s research is focused on developing a fundamental understanding of the factors and processes influencing the transport and fate of contaminants in the subsurface. He is also interested in the development and evaluation of innovative subsurface characterization and remediation technologies, and the evaluation of risks posed to human health by contamination.

Brusseau’s research integrates mechanistic, laboratory-based experimentation, site-specific field-based investigation, and the development and application of mathematical modeling. His research projects span and integrate multiple spatial scales, from the pore scale to the basin scale.

Who should attend this conference?

Groundwater scientists and engineers
Federal, state, and local government personnel
Researchers, academics, and students
Local water districts/agencies
Water supply providers and utilities
Public health officials
Policymakers.

An optional field trip will be held on April 18. See the tab below for additional details.

Thank you to our sponsors and exhibitors

Sponsorship opportunities

Please click here to view sponsorship opportunities for this conference. For further information, please contact the NGWA sales department at sales@ngwa.org.

Continuing Education

Continuing education credit pending states’ approval for NGWA’s Groundwater in the PFAS Era: Stressors, Protection, and Compliance conference is as follows:

Tuesday, April 16 — 7 contact hours/0.7 CEUs
Wednesday, April 17 — 5.5 contact hours/0.55 CEUs
Thursday, April 18 (optional field trip) – TBD contact hours/CEUs

While NGWA seeks recognition of its events for states’ various continuing education credit requirements, each state is free to determine what is approved and for how much credit. The information here is provided as a resource to help those planning to seek state credit; however, if your state has adopted continuing education requirements, you are ultimately responsible for being aware of what those specific requirements are and the completion of those requirements including the reporting format, where applicable.

PFAS Field Trip

Date: April 18, 2024
Start Time: 8: 30 a.m.
End Time: 3:00 p.m.
CEU Hours: 6 contact hours

Field Trip Agenda:

WEST Center: WEST Center facilitates innovative research and technology development to ensure safe and sustainable water supplies. Among its activities, the National Collaborative PFAS Project, coordinated by the University of Arizona’s WEST Center, is designed to evaluate the incidence and mobility of PFAS in soils with a history of land application of biosolids.
Agua Nueva Water Reclamation Facility: Co-located with the WEST Center, Agua Nueva WRF is an innovative public-private partnership creates an affordable source of ‘new water’ – unlocking new ways to nurture desert communities and conserve the world’s natural resources.
Sweetwater Wetlands: Tucson Water staff will facilitate a tour of the wetlands, one of the most important functional, environmental, and educational components of the City of Tucson's reclaimed water system. It is also known for birding, so bring your binoculars.
Santa Cruz River Heritage Project: This is an example of how a community continues to ensure reliable water resources. The project adds up to 2.8 million gallons of treated recycled water daily (3,150 acre feet a year) to the Santa Cruz River at a point south of downtown near the heart of the city. This added water brings perennial flow to this portion of the river, fostering abundant native vegetation and wildlife along with recreational and economic opportunities. The USGS will have a representative onsite to discuss a microgravity study they are conducting.

Fees:

$130 includes transportation by charter bus, box lunch and snacks

Only one registration fee regardless of members/non-members/date etc.

Fees and registration

Conference fees

On/before March 15

NGWA member — $495
Government employee (ID required)* — $495
Nonmember — $645
Full-time student (ID required) — $100

Starting March 16

NGWA member — $595
Government employee (ID required)* — $595
Nonmember — $745
Full-time student (ID required) — $150

Optional April 18 field trip

$130 — includes the bus transportation, lunch, and snacks
Attendance is limited to 25 participants.

Please note: Accepted paper/poster/panel presenters will receive 25% off their registration fee; a discount code will be included in the abstract acceptance notification.

*Those registering as a government employee must do so by phone, fax, or mail; online registration cannot be accepted.

Team discounts up to 10% available. Click here for more details.

Venue and accommodations

DoubleTree by Hilton Tucson Downtown Convention Center
280 S. Church Avenue
Tucson, Arizona 85701
(520) 372-7100

Accommodations: NGWA has secured a limited block of rooms on a first come, first served basis at the group rate of $169 per night, plus any applicable taxes and fees. This rate applies to the NGWA room block and is valid until the March 22, 2024 cutoff date, unless our room block has been filled before that date. Click here to make your hotel room reservation online. To make your reservations by phone, call (800) HILTONS (i.e., 800-445-8667). The group name is NGWA 2024 CONFERENCE and the group code is 90V. Remember, you are responsible for securing your own hotel reservations. For guest check-in and checkout times, please contact the hotel directly.