Abstract Submissions
Share your knowledge, research, and innovations with North Carolina's leading water professionals.
Getting Started
Presenting at an NC One Water conference is a premier opportunity to showcase your expertise, build your professional network, and contribute to the advancement of our industry.
What is an Abstract?
An abstract is a brief, concise summary (typically 500 words or less) of a presentation, case study, or research project you would like to present at one of our conferences. It outlines the core problem, your methodology or approach, and the key takeaways or solutions. A strong abstract provides our Technical Program Workgroup with enough information to evaluate the technical merit and relevance of your topic without requiring them to read the entire final presentation.
Who Can Submit?
Operators & Technicians
Share practical, hands-on experiences, facility improvements, maintenance strategies, and lessons learned from the field.
Engineers & Consultants
Present innovative designs, planning studies, regulatory navigation strategies, and successful project case studies.
Students & Academics
Showcase cutting-edge research, new methodologies, and the latest scientific data shaping the future of water management.
Technology Vendors
Provide educational insights into new technologies and solutions. Note: Abstracts must be strictly educational; sales pitches will not be accepted.
Utility Management & Administrators
Demonstrate the emerging leadership and "soft" skills needed in the industry, and strategies used to optimize engagement amongst teams, decision-makers, and communities.
Real Abstract Examples
Below are a few examples of abbreviated abstract concepts across different disciplines — click any of them to read the full submission as a PDF. These summaries are condensed for browsing; please don't take them as a sign that two sentences will suffice. A complete abstract submission is typically 500 words or less.
PFAS in Biosolids
A technical look at how PFAS contamination is showing up in biosolids, what current testing reveals, and what utilities can do about it — covering treatment options, regulatory implications, and emerging management strategies.
Read the full abstractPathways with Purpose
A program-focused abstract addressing the water sector workforce challenge — exploring how utilities can build intentional career pathways that attract, develop, and retain the next generation of water professionals.
Read the full abstractTapping Groundwater Data
A data-driven case study on how groundwater monitoring information can be more effectively collected, analyzed, and applied to operational decision-making and long-term planning for water systems.
Read the full abstractFrom Vision to Reality
A planning and implementation case study walking through how a major utility initiative moved from concept and stakeholder engagement through design and into operational reality — with lessons learned along the way.
Read the full abstractGreensboro Water Resources
A utility-specific case study from the City of Greensboro covering operational improvements, infrastructure planning, and the practical decision-making behind serving a growing North Carolina community.
Read the full abstractThe Review & Selection Process
Wondering what happens after you hit submit? Here is how our Technical Program Workgroup processes and selects presentations for our conferences.
Submission Review
Once the submission window closes, all abstracts are compiled and scrubbed of identifying information to ensure a fair, blind review process. Our Technical Program Workgroup evaluates each submission based on originality, technical merit, relevance to current industry challenges, and overall quality.
Workgroup Scoring & Placement
Technical Program Workgroup members score the abstracts and collaboratively build the conference schedule. They group selected presentations into cohesive technical tracks (e.g., Wastewater, Drinking Water, Regulatory, Leadership) to ensure a balanced and highly educational event.
Speaker Notification
Submitters will be notified of their status via email, typically 6 to 8 weeks after the submission deadline closes. You will be informed whether your abstract was Accepted, placed on a Waitlist as an alternate, or Declined.
Speaker Preparation
If accepted, you will be invited to our Speaker Information Hub containing your presentation date, time, track assignment, and deadlines for submitting your final PowerPoint presentation and professional headshot.
Ready to Present?
Check our current call for abstracts and review the specific topics we are highlighting for our upcoming events.
View Open Abstract Calls