A message from our organisers Dr. Pedro Alvarez, Professor, Rice University Chairman of the Programme Committee     Ensuring access to inexpensive and safe sources of water is one of the greatest global challenges of this century, and the beneficial impact that emerging technologies can have in making clean water more accessible to more people cannot be overstated. On behalf of the Programme Committee, I invite researchers and practitioners worldwide to submit abstracts for LET10 in Phoenix. Your participation – as presenters and delegates – will ensure that LET maintains its hallmarks: the highest quality for a technical content that reflects rigor and relevance, and the greatest opportunity for networking. Similar to LET07 in Singapore, the programme will be organized by themes, which are described in this Call. The Programme Committee is inviting recognized world leaders to anchor each theme, and it seeks additional platform speakers, workshop leaders, and poster presenters to complement the invited speakers. All abstracts will be peer reviewed to ensure high quality and thematic consistency. Indeed, the programme will feature only the “best of the best.” I encourage your participation and look forward to welcoming you to Phoenix.   David Garman, President, International Water Association     IWA introduced its Leading-Edge conference series on water and wastewater treatment technologies in response to the need to highlight the most significant advances in these fields. It covered technologies ranging from those just emerging from the laboratory to those just making their way to full commercial applications. The 2010 edition of the LET conference will see its scope expand from its traditional focus on treatment technologies to include technologies that minimise the impact that the water sector has in climate change, resource recovery – such as water reuse and nutrient recovery – and advancements in membrane materials. For the first time, the Leading-Edge Technologies Conference will be organised in the United States of America and will provide a unique opportunity to hear from those who are leading in these fields, to network with colleagues and to identify cross-over topics where developments in treatment technologies are interchangeable between water and wastewater. This Leading-Edge conference is an important and vital event. I do hope that you will be able to join us to exchange experiences in a rapidly developing field worldwide. Dr. Zaid Chowdhury, Vice President, Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. Chairman of the Organising Committee     On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I would like to invite water professionals around the world to attend IWA’s Leading Edge Technology Conference.  The conference, which is in the United States for the first time, is being held at the Arizona Biltmore Resorts located at the heart of the City of Phoenix, Arizona. The conference program will attract leading water researchers.  Parallel tracks offering a wide range of multidisciplinary presentations will provide ample opportunities to learn and network with professionals in your fields of interest. Technical tours are also being planned to demonstrate local applications of advanced water, wastewater, and reclamation technologies.  In addition, the conference facility offers enjoyable recreational opportunities, including golfing, hiking, and biking in the sunny Southwestern United States. The Grand Canyon, one of the world famous natural wonders, is only a few hours away by car, so planning a visit either before or after the LET conference is simple. I look forward to seeing you at the conference where you can learn about the leading edge of your profession while enjoying the beautiful Southwestern United States. Dr. Bruce Rittman, Professor Arizona State University Conference President     I invite researchers and practitioners to the first Leading Edge Technology Conference held in the Americas.  The seventh LET conference will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, which is the home of Arizona State University, where I am a professor.  Thus, you will be my guest, and I am thrilled to welcome you. Because Phoenix is located in the Sonoran Desert, water is on everyone’s mind and in everyone’s agenda.  We cannot afford to waste any water, and we must use and reuse waters that need important quality improvements.  Therefore, the water and wastewater utilities are among the most advanced in the United States. The LET is organized around leading-edge themes, and the Programme Committee is inviting recognized world leaders to anchor each theme.  Besides the stellar technical program, LET10 will have technical field trips to see some of the technology in action, as well as two pre-conference workshops. The venue for LET10 is the spectacular Arizona Biltmore Resort.  The Arizona Biltmore was largely designed by one of the world’s most famous architects, Frank Lloyd Wright.  The Biltmore is beautiful and distinctly “Arizona.”  You will enjoy the special place, along with the special programme.  I also suggest that you will come a few days early or stay a few days extra to see some of the special sights of Arizona, such as the Grand Canyon and Sedona.