Annual Convention


Conference Fee:

$399 for TRWA members

$499 for non-members

Early bird registration and hotel reservations for the TRWA annual Convention have been extended to March 1!

$30 late fee after March 1, 2012. No refunds, transfers or credits will be made within 30 days of the start of the conference.

To print a mail in registration form, please click here.

Hotel Information

TRWA is no longer handling hotel reservations for conference attendees. For reservations, please contact the hotel before March 1, 2012 and mention Texas Rural Water Association to receive the group rate. The TRWA room block opens on December 26, 2011. There are a limited number of rooms at the TRWA rate, so make your room reservations as early as possible. Hotel accommodations are the responsibility of each attendee; conference registration does not secure your room. Should the room block become full before February 16, reservations will be accepted on rate/space availability.

  • Fort Worth Omni Hotel
    1300 Houston Street
    Fort Worth, TX 76102
    Reservations: (817) 535-6664
    Room rate: $189/night king/double, $229 triple/quad
    Reserve your room here.
    Please note: No more than four occupants (including infants and children) will be permitted per hotel room.

Conference Agenda

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Public Funds Investment Act Training Initial Course
A separate registration is required. Please click here for more information.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. TRWA and AIA cosponsored Golf Tournament
A ticket must be purchased for this event.
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Public Funds Investment Act Training Renewal Course
A separate registration is required. Please click here for more information.
1:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Convention Registration
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Welcome Reception in Exhibit Hall
Included in registration

Thursday, March 15, 2012

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Convention Registration
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Opening General Session and Awards Presentation
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Annual Business Meeting
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Exhibit Viewing
Lunch on your own
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Concurrent Workshops – Session 1

  • EPA’s New Enforcement Policy & Regulatory Updates
    The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented a new compliance strategy under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for public water systems. As part of this effort, EPA is requiring the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to adopt the EPA’s new approach for enforcement targeting. This new system-based approach uses an Enforcement Targeting Tool (ETT) that enables the prioritization of public water systems by assigning each violation a “weight” or number of points based on the assigned threat to public health. Learn more about the policy and other upcoming regulatory issues to ensure continued compliance of your system.
  • Groundwater Conservation Districts: Filtering Fact from Fiction
    This talk will review the formation, functions, and future of groundwater conservation districts. The purpose is to assist groundwater producers in formulating a framework for reducing friction and forging relationships with groundwater conservation districts.
  • Easements – Question’s and Controversies
    Experts will discuss easement conflicts, conundrums and resolutions using contemporary examples and explain the current state of the law.
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Break in Exhibit Hall
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Concurrent Workshops – Session 2

  • *Groundwater Data Resources in Texas
    Understanding resource availability is crucial to effective resource planning and system sustainability. While surface water can be easily observed, assessing groundwater availability and the effects of pumping and drought can be difficult. Session will include discussion on available groundwater data resources available to aid in planning and managing water resources.
  • *Water Professionals and Water Consumers: Communicating the Role of Source Water Protection
    This discussion will focus on understanding the activities that can impact source water quality and communicating and developing consumer consensus in protecting water resources. Find out how TRWA’s Source Water Protection Specialist and TCEQ’s new online Source Water Protection Plan Development Tool can help you in your protection efforts.
  • 1926 (b) Protection and What it Means for Your Water System
    Does federal debt protect your service area from decertification or from encroachment by cities and other water systems? Learn about the latest developments in this area of the law.
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Social Hour
Cash bar – an Annual Banquet ticket must be purchased for this event.
7:00 p.m. Annual Banquet
Join us for a fun filled, humorous evening with dinner and entertainment!
A ticket must be purchased for this event.

Friday, March 16, 2012

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Convention Registration
7:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Exhibit Viewing
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. District Caucuses and Election of Directors, Alternates and At-Large Directors Members can click here to download delegate and proxy forms.
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Concurrent Workshops – Session 3

  • *Water Resource Management: Reducing Your Water Footprint
    Success of your system depends to a large extent on the way you manage your water resources and build resilience to face tough climate change. This session will include a discussion on importance of developing and implementing a water conservation plan including guidance tool and methodology for calculating water use and conservation, as well as a discussion on developing effective drought contingency measures.
  • *Keeping Your System Financially Fit; Learn How to Set Good Water Rates
    Setting a proper water rate is important for the sustainability of a rural water system. This session will examine what makes a “good” rate, the types of rate structures, and how to set a rate that adequately reflects your true cost of service. Bring your questions and let the experts help you find the best rate for your system!
  • *Climate Change and Effect in Texas
    While climatologists continue to study the effects of climate change, as water professionals we must still learn to adapt to climate change impacts on the ground – specifically water. Session will include discussion of how climate change may affect Texas and its groundwater resources.