The West Virginia Water Research Institute will play host to the third annual West Virginia Water Conference,Emerging Water IssuesScience and Solutions,Oct. 28-29 at Stonewall Jackson State Resort in Roanoke, W.Va.

The WVWRI is a program of the National Research Center for Coal and Energy at West Virginia University.

The goal of the conference is to recognize West Virginias water issues and to identify how technology, policy and education can be harnessed so that the full value of this critical resource is realized,said WVWRI Director Paul Ziemkiewicz, one of the event organizers.

The event is being sponsored by the institute and the U.S. Geological Survey.

On the first day of the conference, experts will present overviews of water security approaches and strategies, current water law, energy and water issues in Appalachia, urban sprawl and planning use, water asset protection through green infrastructure planning, coordination of emergency services, alternative wastewater treatment, nutrient criteria, and others.

The second day focuses on research such as case studies from three different West Virginia aquifers, the flooding of underground mines, pollution from agriculture, DNA tracking and other topics.

The event is free for the first 150 registrants and $60 for the next 100. The limit is 250. Details and online registration are available at:http://wvwri.nrcce.wvu.edu/conferences/water2004/