Heading to the Winner's Circle at WPC 2026
The Kentucky/Tennessee Water Professionals Conference (WPC) is always one of the premier events on our calendar, and this year’s gathering in Lexington, Kentucky, promises to be another exciting opportunity to connect, learn, and share ideas with water industry professionals from across the region. From technical presentations and industry discussions to networking with colleagues and clients, WPC continues to highlight the collaboration and expertise that drive our profession forward.
Sharing Expertise Across the Industry
One of the highlights of WPC is the opportunity to learn directly from professionals who are advancing the water industry through innovative projects and practical solutions. SSR is proud to contribute three presentations to this year’s technical program.
From Pilot to Proven: 20 Years of Membrane Filtration at the City of Alcoa Water Treatment Plant
Tuesday, July 21 | 1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Paige Lowe, SSR
Russell Whitehead, City of Alcoa
For two decades, the City of Alcoa has leveraged membrane filtration technology to deliver high-quality drinking water to its community. This session will reflect on the plant’s journey from pilot testing to a proven long-term treatment solution, highlighting lessons learned, operational insights, and the value of sustained innovation in water treatment.
From Peru to Tennessee: What Sustainable Water Access Teaches Us
Tuesday, July 21 | 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Alev Ersan, SSR
Jessica Carner, Water For People
In May 2026, Jessica and Alev joined Water for People on an Impact Tour to Peru as representatives of the KY/TN AWWA Water for People Committee. Through visits with community members, local leaders, and Water for People staff, they gained firsthand insight into how sustainable water and sanitation systems are transforming lives. This experience provided valuable lessons on resilience, local leadership, and the universal importance of reliable water access, lessons that continue to inform how they approach water infrastructure challenges in Tennessee and Kentucky.
Electrical Grounding 101 for Water Professionals
Tuesday, July 21 | 3:15 – 3:45 p.m.
Jim Dolezal, SSR
John Furr, SSR
Electrical grounding, while often misunderstood or overlooked, is a vital component to providing safe and reliable electrical systems within water and wastewater facilities. For facility staff, grounding issues can appear as nuisance trips, unexpected equipment failures, electrical noise in instrumentation, or even shock hazards to personnel. This presentation is designed to provide water professionals with a clear, practical understanding of electrical grounding without diving deep into electrical theory or code language.
Investing in the Next Generation
Beyond our technical presentations, SSR is proud to serve as a Diamond Sponsor and the official Student Sponsor of WPC 2026. Supporting students and young professionals is a natural extension of our commitment to workforce development and advancing the water industry for years to come.
From mentoring future engineers and supporting student engagement opportunities to investing in leadership development, we believe the future of our industry depends on creating meaningful pathways for the next generation of water professionals. WPC provides an excellent opportunity to connect students with experienced practitioners, helping foster the relationships and knowledge-sharing that strengthen our profession.
Celebrating Leadership Development
This year’s conference is also special for SSR as Paige Lowe, Civil EIT, graduates from the Water Professionals Leadership Academy (WPLA). The program develops emerging leaders within the water industry, equipping participants with the skills, relationships, and industry perspective needed to lead well into the future.
Paige’s achievement reflects SSR’s commitment to investing in our people and supporting professional growth at every stage of a career. We’re excited to celebrate this milestone while also seeing Paige share her expertise during her presentation on the City of Alcoa Water Treatment Plant’s 20-year membrane filtration journey.
A Legacy of Industry Leadership
Having previously served as AWWA Chair, I’ve seen just how much work goes on behind the scenes to make WPC a success each year. Although SSR is not represented on the Planning Committee this year, our commitment to professional involvement remains strong. Whether through sharing technical knowledge, supporting student development, investing in leadership programs like WPLA, or contributing to organizations that advance our industry, conferences like WPC play an important role in advancing our industry. I’m always grateful for the volunteers and leaders who help bring the water community together to share knowledge, build relationships, and tackle the challenges ahead.
Looking Forward to Connecting
Between presentations, we’d also love to connect with attendees at the SSR exhibit booth, 700. Whether you’re interested in discussing a specific project, learning more about our services, meeting members of our team, or simply catching up, we hope you’ll stop by and say hello.
Beyond the technical sessions, WPC provides an opportunity to reconnect with clients, partners, and operators while building new relationships with the next generation of water professionals. Whether you’re attending to earn professional development hours, learn about emerging trends, or simply catch up with industry peers, the conference offers something for everyone.
If you’re attending WPC 2026, we hope you’ll say hello. We look forward to seeing familiar faces, meeting new industry professionals, and contributing to another outstanding conference.