The Water Tower welcomed more than 300 water professionals representing over 65 organizations and 14 states to its fourth annual Demo Day on Thursday, April 24, 2025. This signature event, supported by presenting sponsor Siemens, brought together utility leaders, technology providers, and water industry experts for a day of hands-on demonstrations and collaborative learning focused on innovation, resilience, and operational excellence in the water sector.
With nearly 40 companies and organizations exhibiting at the event, attendees explored a wide range of emerging technologies and innovative solutions designed to help water and wastewater utilities improve processes and address critical infrastructure challenges. Live demonstrations were held across The Water Tower’s expansive campus, including the digital control room, indoor exhibit hall, and outdoor demo areas. Featured activities included a drone reality capture demonstration, underwater robotics display, a fire hydrant assembly challenge, virtual reality training simulations, a pile cloth media filtration system demonstration, expert-led panel discussions, a saw safety instruction class, pipe system demonstrations, and additional technology showcases.
“Demo Day provides a unique platform for collaboration that empowers water utilities here in Georgia and across the U.S. to explore transformative solutions,” said Melissa L. Meeker, Chief Executive Officer of The Water Tower. “Together with our partners, The Water Tower is creating a thriving ecosystem of water innovation.”
Expert panels offered timely insights into some of the most pressing topics facing the industry, including perspectives on digital transformation innovations from technology providers and AI advancements in smart water from utility leaders. Utility professionals from across the region attended free of charge with the opportunity to earn water/wastewater continuing education credits, and a networking BBQ lunch sponsored by Consolidated Pipe & Supply, Inc.
Officially opened in April 2022, The Water Tower innovation campus, located adjacent to the F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center in Buford, Ga., serves as a hub for water research, workforce development, technology demonstration, and industry engagement.
A critical component of The Water Tower’s mission is supporting the water workforce of the future. With up to half of utility operations staff projected to retire within the next decade, The Water Tower provides hands-on training programs for operators and lab analysts to build a pipeline of skilled talent ready to meet tomorrow’s demands.
The event also highlighted The Water Tower’s efforts to support youth education and interest in water industry careers. Sea Cow Robotics, an underwater robotics team from Lanier High School in Gwinnett County, showcased their engineering talents and shared their experience in STEM-focused water challenges.
