The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 is hosting the 6th Water Laboratory Alliance (WLA) Security Summit, to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 13 and 14, 2019. At this year’s Summit, EPA's WLA will be celebrating 10 years of enhancing Water Sector preparedness – a result of collaboration with countless stakeholders.
EPA Region 4 welcomes representatives of drinking water utilities, state and local laboratories, and the emergency response, public information and first responder communities, to register for this FREE event. Participants will learn about WLA program elements, practice the WLA Response Plan (WLA-RP) for water contamination incident response, and gain hands-on experience with EPA security-related tools and resources that can strengthen preparedness for responding to water contamination incidents.
The meeting will be held from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET on Wednesday (November 13), and from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM ET on Thursday (November 14). A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratory tour will be offered to 40 participants after the formal meeting ends on Thursday; the tour will conclude no later than 4:00 PM ET.
The CDC laboratory tour, which is limited to only 40 participants, has reached the maximum number that can attend. Registrants will be added to a wait list should availability open up.
Agenda
Day 1: Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Exhibits........................ Available all day (Tech Town)
7:30-12:00.................... Registration Open
8:00-8:45......................Welcome and Keynote Address, [Mary Walker, Acting Regional Administrator, EPA Region 4]
Moderator: [Jeaneanne Gettle, Director, Water Protection Division, EPA Region 4]
8:45-9:45...................... WLA Response Plan Session, George Gardenier, Chemist, EPA
9:45-10:15.................... Break and Exhibits
10:15-12:00.................. Table Top Exercise Part I: Introduction & Scenario Part I
12:00-1:30.................... Lunch on your own
1:30-3:00...................... Table Top Exercise Part II: Scenario Part II
3:00-3:30...................... Break and Exhibits
3:30-5:00...................... Table Top Exercise Part III: Scenario Part III & Conclusion
Day 2: Thursday, November 14, 2019
Exhibits........................ Available All Day
8:00-10:45.................... Registration Open
8:30-9:00...................... Welcome and Keynote Address, [Jonathan Yoder, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch]
9:00-9:35...................... Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN) /WLA Overview Session, Ahmed Hafez, EPA ERLN Program Manager Latisha P. Mapp, EPA WLA Program Manager
9:35-10:15......................WLA Liaison Panel Discussion: Water and Wastewater Contamination Lessons Learned
10:15-10:45....................Break and Exhibits
10:45-11:35.................. State Laboratory Panel Discussion: Hurricanes, Opioids and other Contaminants of Emerging Concern, and General Lessons Learned to Enhance Water Sector Preparedness
11:35-12:00.................. Closing Remarks and Open Discussion, [TENTATIVE; David Travers, Director Water Security Division, Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water, EPA]
12:00-1:30.................... Lunch on your own
1:30...............................Meet for CDC Laboratory Tour
2:00-3:30...................... CDC Laboratory Tour {NOTE: this is a ticketed event; pre-registration required}
FAQs
1.) What are my transportation options for getting to and from the event?
Train Service:
The EPA/Region 4 office is located in downtown Atlanta, in the Sam Nunn Federal Center. The building is located across the street from the Five Points Station of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). MARTA has a station located directly in the Airport. MARTA trains run every 6-8 minutes from the Airport to downtown Atlanta.
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Follow the signs inside the airport for Marta Transportation. The Gold Line (Northbound) will take you from the airport to Five Points Station. A single one-way fare is $2.50 (cash or charge is accepted).
- Exit the train station utilizing the Forsyth Street exit. Depending on your arrival you can walk straight to the EPA office (which is located across the street) or to either hotel.
Taxi Service:
Taxi service is located in the yellow bus aisles; Cost is $30 flat rate to downtown ($2 each additional person).
Parking:
The Gulch parking lot is located behind the Sam Nunn Center, at the west end of Alabama Street under the Ted Turner Drive viaduct. The rate is $18.00 for over 61 minutes and $7.00 for cars entering before 9:00 am and leaving after 3:00 pm.
2.) What hotels are recommended for the area in which the event is located?
* We do not have a hotel room block reserved for this event.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Atlanta Downtown
54 Peachtree St. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Telephone: 678-702-8600
Situated in the heart of Downtown Atlanta. The Fairfield Inn & Suites Atlanta Downtown is within walking distance of the Sam Nunn Federal Center, as well as attractions such as the Georgia World Congress Center, the Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Park and Georgia State University.
Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta-Downtown
161 Ted Turner Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Telephone: 404-589-1111
With a stay at Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Downtown, you'll be centrally located in Atlanta, steps from Tabernacle and 3 minutes by foot from Centennial Olympic Park. This hotel is 0.5 miles from the Sam Nunn Federal Center. This hotel is 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from AmericasMart and 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from CNN Center.
Clarion Inn & Suites Atlanta Downtown
186 Northside Dr SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Telephone: 404-893-4663
Off Interstate 20, this relaxed budget hotel is 12 minutes’ walk from a metro station and a mile from the Sam Nunn Federal Center and the Georgia Aquarium. The down-to earth rooms come with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, plus mini fridges, microwaves and coffeemakers. Suites add pull-out sofas. Complimentary perks consist of parking, and a hot breakfast buffet served in a casual dining area. There’s also a bar, a restaurant and an exercise room, as well as guest laundry facilities.
Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Downtown
75 Baker St,
Atlanta, GA 30303
Telephone: 404-577-2001
This polished hotel is less than a mile from the Sam Nunn Federal Center and 2 miles from Georgia Aquarium, and a mile from both Atlanta Botanical Garden and the High Museum of Art. Down-to-earth rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and mini fridges, plus microwaves and tea and coffeemakers. Suites add separate living areas with pull-out sofas. Room service is available. Breakfast and parking are available.
Hyatt Place Atlanta/Buckhead
3242 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
Telephone: 404-869-6161
Hyatt Place Atlanta / Buckhead offers free amenities like Wi-Fi, shuttle rides, and breakfasts, while fine dining, malls, and boutiques are within walking distance. This hotel is approximately 8 miles from the Sam Nunn Federal Center.
Residence Inn Atlanta Buckhead/Lenox Park
2220 Lake Boulevard NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30319
Telephone: 404-467-1660
This extended stay hotel in the serene Lenox Park area of Buckhead GA provides all the comforts of home in a relaxing setting. Prepare a home cooked meal in the fully equipped kitchen, unwind in the separate living area before heading to the bedroom for a great night’s sleep in your comfortable bed, and stay connected with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen HDTVs.This hotel is approximately 8 miles from the Sam Nunn Federal Center.
3.) Who do I contact if I have a question about the event?
For more information on the WLA Security Summit, please send an email to WLA@epa.gov.
EPA will use your registration information solely for this event. We will not share your information with any third party.
If you require special accommodations, please contact the WLA at WLA@epa.gov by November 06, 2019 to make arrangements.
