Meet our speakers and their insights for the 2025 WEAO Conference
Event Details
From April 13-15, 2025, join us at the RBC Place London in Ontario for a dynamic event showcasing the latest in water environment innovations. Our GHD speakers, known for their expertise and forward-thinking, will deliver cutting-edge insights.
Engage in sessions, workshops, and network with industry leaders.
Explore the April 14 speakers lineup
Monday's presentations
Exploring the Value and Benefits of AMI 2.0: Enhancing a Utility's Operations and Customer Experience (147)
Speaker: Freddie Guerra - Digital Water Solutions Leader North America
Water utilities are embracing AMI 2.0 for innovation and excellence! Real-time data, IoT devices, and advanced networks boost efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Global Experiences in Wastewater Utility Net-Zero Strategy Implementation (209)
Speaker: Aby Sabzwari - Water & Wastewater Treatment Engineering Graduate | MASc Environmental Engineering
GHD's global survey of leading water utilities reveals key insights on net-zero strategies, GHG mitigation, and resiliency. Findings guide York Region's Long-Term Resilient Net-Zero Carbon Wastewater Strategy.
Pilot Testing Algae Treatment for Nutrient Removal and Carbon Capture (139)
Speaker: Frances Amoye - Wastewater Process Engineer
Ontario's NEW Paradigm: Wastewater as a resource! York Region's algae-based tech at the Kleinburg facility shows promise in nutrient recovery, carbon capture, and sustainability.
1-Year of Continuous Nitrous Oxide Measurement at Skyway and Mid-Halton WWTP’s (115)
Speaker: Jeremy Kraemer, Ph.D., P.Eng. - Wastewater Technical Director
Halton Region measures nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions at Skyway and Mid-Halton plants. Year 1 baseline results set the stage for Year 2 mitigation efforts.
Understanding and Managing Microplastics and PFAS in Wastewater Treatment Process (117)
Speaker: Zhiyong Xia - National PFAS Technical Leader
Emerging contaminants like microplastics (MPs) and PFAS challenge wastewater treatment plants. This presentation explores their behaviour, impact on WWTPs, and effective removal technologies. Essential for utility users, operators, and regulators.
Leveraging DeX-Terity as a Powerful Tool for Decision-Making in Water and Wastewater Systems (226)
Co-speaker: Bharat Khanna - Digital Solutions Leader - Canada
Water systems face pressures from growth, urbanization, pollution, and climate change. DeX-Terity, a cloud-based tool, uses machine learning and big data to help decision-makers analyze patterns, predict scenarios, and manage water resources sustainably.
Check out the April 15 speakers lineup
Tuesday's presentations
Changes to Ontario’s infrastructure planning landscape are forthcoming (again)... (218)
Speaker: Leah Weller, MCIP, RPP Environmental Infrastructure Lead
Ontario municipalities voice concerns over the proposed Municipal Projects Assessment Process, aiming to replace the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for water and wastewater projects.
Preparing utilities for the post-digital era: a strategic framework for future-ready operations (148)
Speaker: Freddie Guerra - Digital Water Solutions Leader - North America
Utilities are transforming in the post-digital era! Embracing AI, IoT, and data analytics to boost efficiency, customer engagement, and sustainability. Challenges include modernizing infrastructure and cybersecurity.
In the Weeds: GHG Accounting Details to Support Net-Zero Strategy (126)
Speaker: Benjamin Beelen, P.Eng. - Wastewater Process Engineer - NA Ontario Water
Join the discussion on tracking GHG emissions for the next 26 years! Explore strategies and challenges in York Region's wastewater GHG tracking framework from 2014 to 2050. Share your experiences too!
Session:
GHG Reduction & Net Zero Strategy
Monday's sessions | April 14 | RBC Place - Salon E-F
Learn to assess and compare GHG mitigation strategies for a net zero plan, with insights from a global water utilities survey on their net zero journeys.
Session:
Energy & GHG reduction
Tuesday's sessions | April 15 | Salon E-F
Discover findings from three projects on renewable energy and efficiency, plus European efforts using advanced analytics to assess nitrous oxide risk.
Co-authored by GHD's
water professionals
York Region’s Long-Term Resilient Net-Zero Carbon Wastewater Strategy
Monday, April 14 | 11:00 AM | RBC Place - Salon E-F
Market Analysis of WRRF Real-Time AI-driven Optimization Solutions
Monday, April 14 | 11:30 AM | RBC Place - Salon J
Halton Region's Wastewater Treatment Plant Renewable Energy Initiative
Tuesday, April 15 | 2:00 PM | RBC Place - Salon E-F
