Symposium on Advancements in Water & Wastewater
May 5-6 | Rackham Building - University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI
Every three years the Michigan-based Borchardt Conference brings together a diverse group of engineers, scientists, public health specialists and students to present and discuss the latest issues and advances in water and wastewater technology. The This premier triennial event emphasizes applied research and real life experience in environmental engineering and water utility operations. The Borchardt Conference is co-sponsored by the University of Michigan Department of Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, MI-AWWA, MWEA and EGLE.
Download and share the conference flyer.
Keynote Speakers
Borchardt Keynote Lecturer: Dr. Megan Plumlee, Research Director, Orange County Water District
Glysson Keynote Lecturer: Dr. Belinda Sturm, Ross McKinney Professor, Dept of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering, University of Kansas
AEESP Distinguished Lecturer: Dr. David Sedlak, Plato Malozemoff Distinguished Professor, Dept of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS Abstracts for oral and poster presentations for the 2026 Borchardt Conference are due on January 23, 2026. Detailed abstract submission guidelines and an abstract submission form are available here. Every three years, the Borchardt Conference brings together a diverse group of engineers, scientists, practitioners, and students to present and discuss the latest issues and advances in water and wastewater science and engineering. In addition to the Borchardt-Glysson Water Treatment Innovation Lecturer and three keynote speakers, presenters for oral and poster presentations will be selected from submitted abstracts on recent developments in the fields of drinking water and wastewater. Graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to submit abstracts. Presenters will be selected through a committee review of abstracts, which must be limited to one page and submitted with the accompanying form. Oral presentations are to be 15-17 min (with an additional 3-5 min Q&A). |
Topics of interest for presentations include recent developments in the drinking water, wastewater, and water reuse fields, including but not limited to: | |
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Borchardt-Glysson Water Treatment Innovation Prize and Lecture
The Borchardt-Glysson Water Treatment Innovation Prize is an honor consisting of a $10,000 cash award to acknowledge a senior or mid-career professional whose accomplishments in the water or wastewater treatment fields have been nationally and internationally recognized. The prize will be presented at the Borchardt Conference. As part of the award ceremony, the recipient is invited to deliver the Borchardt-Glysson Water Treatment Innovation Lecture.
Nominations for the 2026 Borchardt-Glysson Water Treatment Innovation Prize are due on January 23, 2026.
Detailed nomination guidelines and an application form are available here.
Past Recipients:
Conference Rates
2-day attendee: $300 | 1-day attendee: $180
Students $25 per day - Lunch and refreshements are included with registration.
Continuing Education Credits (CECs)/Professional Development Hours (PDHs)
- The Borchardt Conference has approval pending for certified Michigan drinking water and wastewater operators.
- Conference sessions qualify as professional development hours (PDHs) for licensed professional engineers
Parking
University of Michigan parking is limited, and fills up quickly! The Fletcher Structure (N13 on the PDF map linked below) is suggested.
Enter the structure using the Palmer Drive entrance and take the elevator to Fletcher Street; walk across the street to the Rackham Building. If Fletcher structure is full, use Maynard Street City Public Parking garage (shown in Red on PDF map from below link.)
Parking fees are not included in your conference registration.
Click here for Lodging & Restaurant Information
Sponsorship Opportunity
Sponsorship dollars help to defray costs for students. Make your commitment here today. Please direct questions to
John Norton Jr, PhD, PE at Great Lakes Water Authority 313-400-2553 or john.norton@glwater.org
Please direct technical Program questions to:
Lutgarde Raskin, Ph.D, University of Michigan, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Email: raskin@umich.edu
Lina Belia, Ph.D. PEng, Primodal US & Canada
Email: belia@primodal.com
Please Direct any other questions to:
Joyce Kennedy, University of Michigan, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Phone: 734-764-6024
Email: joykenne@umich.edu