ACE11: Notes From The Exhibition Floor
(Published by WaterOnline, June 29, 2011. Click here to read the entire article.)

Washington, D.C. (June 29, 2011) - Washington, D.C. recently played host to the longest-running water conference in the world, as the American Water Works Association (AWWA) conducted its 130th Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE). From June 12 to 16, ACE11 welcomed more than 500 exhibitors and a pre-show estimate of more than 10,000 water professionals to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in the heart of the nation's capital.

Though official numbers will not be available until mid-July, it seemed as though attendance was slightly down from last year, when it surpassed 12,000. That said, ACE11 was still a huge and successful event, featuring hundreds of workshops, presentations, and seminars, as well as the leading companies in the industry showcasing the latest products and technologies.

As usual, Water Online was on hand for this important event, and we've compiled the following booth-by-booth report from the show floor.

Mueller Co.
In light of the new distribution agreement recently struck with Advanced Valve Technologies (AVT), ACE11 provided the first opportunity for Mueller Co. to showcase the EZ2 Insertion Valve System (pictured at left) in its booth. Mueller's Bob Abbot explained how the system requires only a narrow slot in the pipe for valve insertion, providing for quick installation and increased pipe integrity. Bob also introduced me to Mueller's latest product offering, the Adjusta-Coil Meter Box, which compensates for grade changes without adding separate extensions – just twist to unlock, adjust the setting, and twist again to secure in place.

Mueller Water Products
The staff of Mueller Water Products was in full force at ACE11, representing its many subsidiary companies and capabilities. Marc Bracken, vice president and general manager of Toronto-based Echologics, explained to me the acoustic technology behind the Windows-based LeakFinderRT leak noise correlator, which identifies "quiet," narrow-band leak noise to allow for pinpoint leak detection. Similarly, Echologics' non-invasive technique provides pipe condition assessment for municipalities, a service recently utilized to great effect by the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

Hassan Ali of Mueller Systems later demonstrated how the new 420 Remote Disconnect Meter (RDM) integrates with advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), such as in the company's Mi.Net System, for safe, easy, and cost-efficient remote management. The capability to connect and disconnect meters remotely also benefits consumers, who can gain even further control of their water usage through Mi.Data.