Wastewater Treatment Symposium at WEQ Fair

The wastewater industry stands at one of the most pivotal moments in its history.

Across North America, disposal capacity continues to shrink, treatment facilities are operating under increasing pressure, regulations continue to evolve and communities are searching for sustainable, long-term solutions. The choices we make today will shape the future of wastewater management for generations.

That is why the WEQ Fair is becoming one of the most influential educational and networking events in the wastewater industry. It brings together wastewater professionals, municipal leaders, engineers, regulators, manufacturers, consultants, contractors and innovators who share one common purpose.

Moving our industry forward

This year, that mission begins with the Wastewater Treatment Symposium, presented by the National Septage Disposal Crisis Alliance. The WEQ Fair is the launching point for the conversations, partnerships and innovations that will help define the future of wastewater disposal across America.

A national call to action

Communities across the country are losing disposal capacity. Treatment plants face growing operational demands. Pumpers and portable sanitation companies are traveling farther than ever before simply to serve their customers. Municipalities are searching for answers that balance public health, environmental responsibility and financial sustainability.  That is exactly why the Wastewater Treatment Symposium exists.

Hosted by the National Septage Disposal Crisis Alliance, this collaborative, immersive, full-day educational experience brings together industry leaders who have successfully developed receiving programs, expanded treatment capacity, overcome regulatory obstacles and built partnerships that benefit both municipalities and private industry. Equipped with the shared knowledge and connections gained at the symposium, attendees can successfully implement needed solutions across the country.

Who should attend?

If your work impacts wastewater in any way, this symposium was built with you in mind.

You will leave with practical strategies, valuable industry relationships and actionable ideas that strengthen your organization while contributing to a stronger wastewater industry nationwide, whether you are a wastewater treatment plant operator, municipal leader, utility director, septic pumping contractor, portable sanitation professional, engineer, environmental consultant, regulator, public works official, business owner or equipment manufacturer.

What you’ll learn

Every presentation has one purpose: Deliver practical knowledge you can put into action immediately.

Topics include:

• Understanding America’s growing septage disposal crisis and its impact on your community.
• Developing financially sustainable hauled waste receiving programs.
• Expanding treatment capacity while generating new revenue opportunities.
• Designing effective receiving stations and pretreatment systems.
• Reviewing and developing operational best practices for accepting septage and portable sanitation waste.
• Selecting equipment and planning infrastructure.
• Meeting or exceeding regulatory requirements and implementing permitting strategies.
• Funding opportunities for facility improvements.
• Building successful partnerships between municipalities and private industry.
• Learning from successful treatment facilities through real-world case studies.

The presentations are full of  proven strategies shared by professionals who have already overcome the challenges many communities are facing today.

Built on decades of industry leadership

Long before today’s disposal crisis became a national concern, Tom Ferrero, NAWT secretary and past president, recognized the need to educate wastewater professionals and municipalities on practical hauled waste management solutions.

His leadership demonstrated that well-designed receiving programs could improve treatment operations while creating sustainable disposal opportunities for private industry.

Today, that vision continues.

The Wastewater Treatment Symposium brings together decades of practical experience, proven operating practices, and innovative solutions from professionals who have successfully navigated these challenges.

Their experience becomes your road map.

Why this matters

Every community depends on reliable wastewater infrastructure. Every treatment facility protects public health. Every decision we make today shapes tomorrow.

The National Septage Disposal Crisis Alliance believes solving the disposal crisis requires more than discussion.

It requires education. It requires innovation. It requires collaboration. And most importantly, it requires leaders willing to be part of the solution.

By bringing together treatment professionals, municipalities, engineers, regulators, manufacturers, consultants and private industry, the WEQ Fair is creating partnerships that will expand disposal capacity, strengthen local infrastructure, improve environmental stewardship, and build a more resilient wastewater industry.

Together, we are doing more than responding to a crisis. We are defining the future of wastewater.

Continue the conversation throughout WEQ Fair Wastewater Treatment Symposium

Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. WEQ Fair • Nashville, Tennessee

Your experience doesn’t end when the symposium concludes.

It continues throughout the WEQ Fair, Oct. 5-7, where attendees will connect with equipment manufacturers, treatment experts, engineers, regulators, consultants and industry leaders from across North America.

The symposium provides the foundation. The WEQ Fair expands the possibilities.

Together, they create one of the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences available anywhere in the wastewater industry.

If you’re committed to protecting public health, expanding disposal capacity, strengthening wastewater infrastructure and leading meaningful change within your community, this is where you need to be.

The disposal crisis is real, but so is our opportunity to solve it.

The conversations that begin in October won’t simply improve your organization. They have the power to influence wastewater management in communities across the U.S. for years to come. Help shape the future of our industry.