AWWA/WEF The Utility Management Conference™
March 24-27, 2026
Charlotte, NC
AWWA/WEF The Utility Management Conference™
Top Water Utility Leaders Gather to Share Experiences, Strategies & Insight
Each year, water utility executives and managers keep returning to the Utility Management Conference (UMC). This gathering offers forward-thinking leadership, creative strategic planning, efficient processes, and holistic approaches to ongoing improvement efforts.
Three reasons why utility leaders should attend this prestigious event:
- Gain insight from leadership peers. This conference attracts top executives and managers across all water utility departments. Get the view from the top of what is really working.
- Prepare for the future. Learn how utilities can adapt to climate change, fix aging infrastructure, achieve digital transformation, leverage funding options, and address other evolving considerations.
- Develop the next generation of utility leaders. UMC is co-located with the Young Professionals Summit and features some joint events. Do not miss this opportunity to inspire and guide future utility leaders.
Join us in Charlotte
The 2026 UMC Conference will be hosted by Water Environment Federation (WEF). Please visit wef.org for all details.
2026 Dates & Location:
March 24-27, 2026
Charlotte Convention Center
Charlotte, North Carolina
Who Attends UMC?
Utility managers and executives
CFOs and finance directors
Public works directors
Engineers and project managers
Human resource professionals
Public officials
Public relations specialists
Regulatory
Board members
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Professional Program
UMC features sessions and discussions on key issues for enhancing utility operations and performance while managing risk.
The 2026 Conference will be hosted by WEF. Please visit wef.org/UtilityManagement for continued updates.
2025 Certificates of Completion
How to Access 2025 Certificates of Completion
Important Note: All approvals are at the discretion of your licensing agency, and a Certificate of Completion does not guarantee that your agency will award you credit. It is the individual’s responsibility to contact the licensing agency to confirm that the education program is acceptable for continuing education credit. Visit awwa.org/credits to learn more.
Please allow 30 to 60 days for certificate processing time. For login assistance, call 800.926.7337 or email service@awwa.org. For certificate discrepancies or continuing education questions, email EducationServices@awwa.org.
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Presenter Resources
The 2026 Call for Abstracts is hosted by WEF and is now open. Please visit wef.org/UtilityManagement for submission details and instructions.
For questions, please email UtilityMgtConf@wef.org.
Submit an Abstract
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors
“As a public utility manager, this is the best conference — with the broadest, most applicable information that I have found.”
“UMC is simply my go-to conference. The scale of this gathering is just right, and the content is a nice balance of utility and consulting perspectives. Sessions include forward-thinking research. Pre-conference workshops are excellent. Ample networking opportunities.”
Utility Management Resources from AWWA
As you prepare for UMC, we invite you to explore the wide range of relevant resources available from AWWA.
AWWA Utility Benchmarking
Utility managers can use the data and analyses in this report to determine how their utility’s performance compares to the water or wastewater industry in six areas of operations: Organizational Development, Business Operations, Customer Relations, Water Operations, Wastewater Operations, and Historical Trends.
Read More
Water and Wastewater Rate Survey
Introducing the new digital platform for accessing data on water rates! Now, you can easily compare your rates to meet revenue goals or compare with others in the area, all with just a few clicks. The updated digital platform provides a user-friendly interface, making it simple to access data on water rates from anywhere at any time.
Learn More
M1 Principles of Water Rates, Fees, and Charges
As issues associated with water rates and charges continues to evolve, so must the utilities approach to selecting and communicating their rates, charges, and pricing policies.
Read More
M3 Safety Management for Utilities
Looking for actionable tools in developing a Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) program? Newly updated M3 Safety Management for Utilities, Eight Edition, will walk you through how to set up an effective and efficient safety plan at a utility.
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M5 Water Utility Management
M5 Water Utility Management is designed for both new and experienced managers who are looking to better understand all aspects of public utility management.
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M19 Emergency Planning for Water and Wastewater Utilities
This manual presents an all-hazards approach for principles, practices, and guidelines in water utility emergency planning.
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M29 Water Utility Capital Financing
Planning and obtaining financing for water utility capital projects. This edition addresses both traditional and innovative utility financing alternatives to meet both short-and long-term capital requirements.
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M47 Capital Project Delivery
This manual describes a variety of project delivery methods and provides guidance to utility managers, project engineers, and buyers for managing any size construction project.
Read More
Focus First on Service: The Voice and Face of Your Utility
An in-service training workbook for water utility customer service representatives.
Get the Book
Pretreatment Pocket Field Guide
Designed for field use by water operators, this pocket-sized guide provides operational information on mixing, coagulation, and sedimentation processes in water treatment.
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Total Water Management: Practices for a Sustainable Future
Total water management is the exercise of stewardship and shared governance of water resources among utilities, business, and government for the greatest good of society and the environment.
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The Water Workforce: Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining High-Performance Employees
The most important resources at any utility are human resources. People make all the difference in the success or failure of your utility’s operation. Managing utility workforce issues is the focus of this practical handbook for water utility human resources employees.
Get the Book
Utility Management for Water and Wastewater Operators
An introduction to water utility management principles and practices for new managers, as well as anyone who wishes to move into utility management.
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M52 Water Conservation Programs: A Planning Manual
This manual provides water utilities and other industry professionals with the skills and information to develop, implement, and measure the success of a water conservation program.
Read More
The American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation.
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