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Workshop & Session Summaries

Pre-Conference Workshop

Midwest Assistance Program (MAP) Operator Math Training
Tuesday, October 13, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ballroom A
Midwest Assistance Program
This optional free pre-conference workshop is open to all operators. Provided Free of Charge by the Midwest Assistance Program (MAP).

Exam Review Sessions

Wastewater Certification Review Session
Tuesday, October 13, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.  p.m. and Wednesday, October 14, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, October 15, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Room 235 and Room 233
MDEQ Staff
No CECs
This session prepares operators to take the certification exam. The certification exam will be offered at the conference on Thursday, October 15, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Note: Operators participating in the review session must (a) register for the Fall Water School and (b) register to take the exam directly through MDEQ before attending the review session. 

Water Certification Review Session
Tuesday, October 13, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.  p.m. and Wednesday, October 14, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, October 15, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ballroom C
MDEQ Staff 
No CECs 
This session prepares operators to take the certification exam. The certification exam will be offered at the conference on Thursday, October 15, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00. Note: Operators participating in the review session must (a) register for the Fall Water School and (b) register to take the exam directly through MDEQ before attending the review session.

Tuesday, October 13 - Session Summaries

Ballroom A

Opening General Session
Tuesday, October 13, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Ballroom A
0.1 Dual CECs
The opening general session will feature a keynote address on the lessons learned from the recent cyber-attacks on several Minnesota utilities.

Lead and Copper Rule Updates
Tuesday, October 13, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Ballroom A
0.1 Water CECs
DEQ staff provide a review of Lead and Copper Rule changes and compliance. 

Open 
Tuesday, October 13, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. 
Ballroom A 

Open 
Tuesday, October 13, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. 
Ballroom A 

Ballroom D 

PFAS Sampling and Analysis
Tuesday, October 13, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Ballroom D
0.1 Water CECs
DEQ staff will review PFAS sampling and analysis and rule requirements. 

A Review of Sampling Techniques and Procedures
Tuesday, October 13, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Ballroom D
0.1 Dual CECs
DEQ staff will review sampling techniques and procedures commonly used in water and wastewater systems. 

Consumer Confidence Reports
Tuesday, October 13, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Ballroom D
0.1 Water CECs
DEQ staff will review the requirements for CCR’s.

Procrastinator Theatre

Groundwater Well Operation and Maintenance: Aquifer Exploration
Tuesday, October 13, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Procrastinator Theatre
0.1 Water CECs
The presentation begins with foundational groundwater concepts, including aquifer characteristics, grain-size relationships, and well construction principles.

Groundwater Well Operation and Maintenance: Well Records and Their Use 
Tuesday, October 13, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Procrastinator Theatre 
0.1 Water CECs
Real-world examples from Montana wellfields illustrate how geological conditions, screen design, and development practices influence long-term well efficiency and reliability.

Groundwater Well Operation and Maintenance: Monitoring Wells
Tuesday, October 13, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Procrastinator Theatre 
0.1 Water CECs
A practical discussion on the installation and use of monitoring wells in a groundwater supply system.

Ballroom B

Open 
Tuesday, October 13, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. 
Ballroom B 

Area Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) 
Tuesday, October 13, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. 
Ballroom B 
0.1 Water CECs 
DEQ staff will review approaches to optimizing treatment performance. 

Surface Water Monthly Operating Reports 
Tuesday, October 13, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. 
Ballroom B 
0.1 Water CECs 
DEQ staff will review the requirements for monthly operating reports for surface water systems. 

Wednesday, October 14 - Session Summaries
 
Ballroom A

Hach Training: Portable Turbidity Analysis 
Wednesday, October 14, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. 
Ballroom A
0.2 Dual CECs
This training seminar addresses laboratory turbidity analysis. Students learn about the theory of measurement and how to operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot a laboratory turbidity analyzer. Students learn via presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences.

Hach Training: Online Turbidity Analysis
Wednesday, October 14, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ballroom A
0.2 Dual CECs
This training seminar addresses online turbidity analysis. Students learn about the theory of measurement and how to operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot an online turbidity analyzer. Students learn via presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences.

Total Suspended Solids Analysis for Wastewater
Wednesday, October 14, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. 
Ballroom A
0.2 Dual CECs
This two-hour training seminar addresses total suspended solids (TSS) analysis for wastewater applications. Students learn about the theory of measurement for the gravimetric lab method and a process probe. Students learn how to operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot a process TSS probe (Hach Solitax sc with sc4500). Students learn via presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences.

Process Nitrate Analysis 
Wednesday, October 14, 3:00 -5:00 p.m. 
Ballroom A
0.2 Dual CECs
This two-hour training seminar addresses process nitrate analysis for drinking water and wastewater applications. Students learn about two theories of measurement for process nitrate probes: UV and Ion Selective Electrode. Students learn how to operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot both types of probes (Hach NT3100 sc & AN-ISE sc with sc4500). Students learn via presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences.

Ballroom D

Chlorination Equipment
Wednesday, October 14, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Ballroom D
0.2 Dual CECs
This presentation will review, with the use of a hands-on demonstration unit, the elements of an effective chlorination system and how to troubleshoot and maintain those systems.

Mechanical Seals
Wednesday, October 14, 10:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Ballroom D
0.2 Dual CECs
This presentation will review, with the use of a hands-on examples, the common types of mechanical seals used in rotating equipment used in water and wastewater systems. 

Analyzing and Improving Pump Performance
Wednesday, October 14, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Ballroom D
0.4 Dual CECs
This technical training presentation provides a comprehensive introduction to pump theory, operation, and maintenance for field personnel and technicians. It opens with the physical properties of water as a pumped fluid before moving into centrifugal pump fundamentals, including impeller design, pump curve and system curve interaction, multi-stage and parallel pump configurations, and variable frequency drive (VFD) operation and cost-benefit analysis. A substantial middle section addresses common causes of pump damage and failure — cavitation, air entrainment, recirculation, and flow instability — along with diagnostic and preventive strategies. The presentation then covers shaft sealing in depth, contrasting packing and mechanical seals and detailing seal types (single, tandem, double, split), seal face flatness measurement, and materials of construction (carbon graphite, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide, metallurgy, elastomers). The maintenance and safety section covers lockout/tagout procedures, electrical and motor testing protocols, and routine system and station upkeep. The presentation closes with an overview of pump classifications (positive displacement and kinetic pump types) and specialized diagnostic tools such as vibration analysis, thermal imaging, motor winding analysis, and laser shaft alignment. Overall, the presentation serves as a broad technical reference spanning hydraulic theory, mechanical sealing technology, and field maintenance best practices for centrifugal and positive displacement pumping systems.

Procrastinator Theatre

Emerging Contaminants Update (Mari Eggers and Adam Sigler – MSU) 
Wednesday, October 14, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. 
Procrastinator Theatre 
0.1 Water CECs 
Montana State University staff will discuss recent updates to their research projects on emerging contaminants. 

Enforcement Updates 
Wednesday, October 14, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. 
Procrastinator Theatre 
0.1 Water CECs 
DEQ staff will provide a review of current violation enforcement programs. 

Groundwater Well Operation and Maintenance: Well Rehabilitation Methods 
Wednesday, October 14, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
Procrastinator Theatre 
0.2 Water CECs    
The course then transitions to well development and rehabilitation practices, covering both conventional and advanced techniques, including: 

  • Mechanical redevelopment methods (surging, airlift, and force application tools) 
  • Chemical cleaning strategies tailored to specific clogging mechanisms 
  • Proper selection and application of acids, biodispersants, and oxidizers 
  • High-energy and specialized rehabilitation technologies such as pneumatic shock and high-pressure jetting systems 

Emphasis is placed on matching rehabilitation methods to the underlying cause of impairment rather than applying generalized treatments. 

Groundwater Well Operation and Maintenance: Well Performance and Decline 
Wednesday, October 14, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. 
Procrastinator Theatre 
0.2 Water CECs 
A major focus of the session is well performance decline, examining the physical, chemical, and biological processes that reduce production capacity. Topics include: 

  • Carbon dioxide degassing and carbonate precipitation at the well screen 
  • Mineral scaling and formation plugging 
  • Biofouling caused by microbial growth and biofilm formation 
  • Sediment intrusion and construction-related deficiencies 
  • Increased drawdown and energy costs resulting from clogging mechanisms 

Using case studies and diagnostic data such as water chemistry analyses, aquifer test records, and well logs, the presentation demonstrates how performance problems can be identified and interpreted. 

Water Distribution System Operations: Part 1 – Valves, Pipes and Equipment 
Wednesday, October 14, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. 
Procrastinator Theatre 
0.2 Water CECs  
This workshop will cover the critical elements in the operation of water distribution systems.  Topics include: Preventative maintenance including valve and hydrant maintenance and flushing, reservoir management and leak detection; cross connections; pressure management; system and disaster planning and documentation.   

Ballroom B 

Asset Management Principals
Wednesday, October 14, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Ballroom B
0.2 Dual CECs
This presentation will review the fundamental concepts critical to an effective utility asset management plan.  These include the practices of inventory documentation and condition assessment and level of service concepts and how they relate to operation and maintenance practices.  The instructors will discuss how these concepts improve communication with stakeholders throughout the utility and community.  This will also include an exercise to develop a basic level of service framework based on prepared materials but targeted toward the attendee’s own community.

Asset Management Applications 
Wednesday, October 14, 10:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Ballroom B
0.2 Dual CECs
This presentation will apply the fundamental concepts critical to an effective utility asset management plan to develop a basic level of service framework based on prepared materials but targeted toward the attendee’s own community.

Asset Management Repair and Rehabilitation Strategies – Part A
Wednesday, October 14, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Ballroom B
0.2 Dual CECs
This session will combine the information developed and reviewed in the previous three sessions to develop a rehab/replacement plan.  We will discuss the “what/why/when” questions related to replacement planning as well as methods for developing a logical framework.  

Asset Management Repair and Rehabilitation Strategies – Part B
Wednesday, October 14, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Ballroom B
0.2 Dual CECs
This session will create a connection between the boots on the ground and the funding approval and allocation process using examples from systems in attendance and   prepared example materials.

Norm Asbjornson Hall Rear Parking Lot 

Hands-on Pressure Regulating Valve Training
Wednesday, October 15, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
OR
Wednesday, October 15, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
0.4 Water CECs

Note: All sessions will be held at the mobile lab located in the parking area on the South side of the Norm Asbjornson Engineering Building.  Duplicate, identical sessions will be held in the morning and afternoon.

This session will provide operators with hands-on training from product experts, during which they will learn how to set and adjust pressure-reducing, pressure-sustaining, and altitude valves, and gain valuable troubleshooting knowledge. The course will be conducted using a mobile lab using 100 psi of real water pressure in a safe and controlled environment. The mobile training lab enables operators to visualize how control valves help resolve common system issues, including over- or under-pressurization, excessive water leakage, inadequate storage tank turnover, cavitation, water hammer, and surge.

Thursday, October 15 - Session Summaries

Ballroom A

Hach Training: Portable Chorine Analysis
Thursday, October 15, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. 
Ballroom A
0.2 Dual CECs
This two-hour training seminar addresses portable chlorine analysis. Students learn about the theory of photometry, sampling techniques, analysis techniques, use of standards, and how to operate two portable colorimeters (Hach DR300, SL1000). Students learn via presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences.

Hach Training: Process Chorine Analysis
Thursday, October 15, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
Ballroom A
0.2 Dual CECs
This two-hour training seminar addresses process chlorine analysis. Students learn about the theory of photometry and how to operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot a process chlorine analyzer (Hach CL17 sc with sc4500). Students learn via presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences.

Hach Training: Electrochemistry Analysis: pH, ORP & Conductivity
Thursday, October 15, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. 
Ballroom A
0.2 Dual CECs
This two-hour training seminar addresses pH, ORP, and conductivity analysis. For each sensor, students learn about the theory of measurement and how to operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot (Hach SL1000 with IntelliCal sensors). Students learn via presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences.

Hach Training: Hardness and Alkalinity Analysis
Thursday, October 15, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. 
Ballroom A
0.2 Dual CECs
This two-hour training seminar addresses hardness and alkalinity analysis for drinking water applications. Students learn about two theories of measurement for each parameter: titration and colorimetric. Students learn how to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot a portable colorimeter (Hach SL1000). Students learn via presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences.
Ballroom D 

Utility Challenges with AI
Thursday, October 15, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Ballroom D
0.2 Dual CECs
This presentation will provide a national perspective on some of the issues faced by utilities when AI data centers are constructed in their service area. 

Cyber-hygiene Principals for Utilities
Thursday, October 15, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ballroom D
0.2 Dual CECs
This presentation will provide some basic concepts utilities can implement to improve the security of their control and data systems. 

Electrical Systems Troubleshooting, Maintenance and Safety
Thursday, October 15, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Ballroom D
0.4 Dual CECs
This workshop will provide a general overview of how utility electrical and control systems.  Information on instrumentation and devices available to measure information and control processes throughout water or wastewater systems, safety practices for electrical equipment, control panel troubleshooting the use of schematics, and the use of SCADA systems to improve system efficiencies and operations. A SCADA overview that covers the instrumentation, control, and digitalization of water and wastewater plants as well as best cyber-security practices will be covered.

Procrastinator Theatre

Leadership Skills: Leadership Challenges
Thursday, October 15, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Procrastinator Theatre
0.2 Dual CECs
This presentation will review the fundamental leadership roles and responsibilities in utilities.  Through interactive examples and discussions, participants will learn how to effectively navigate leadership challenges and decision-making; build
trust and credibility with their teams; and learn how to influence and innovate in the context of utility operations. 

Leadership Skills: Leading Change
Thursday, October 15, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Procrastinator Theatre 
0.2 Dual CECs
This workshop will focus on the fundamental skill of leading change within a utility organization.  This interactive workshop will provide attendees with an effective framework for leading change, engaging stakeholders and sustaining momentum

Biosolids
Thursday, October 15, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Procrastinator Theatre 
0.2 Wastewater CECs
Participants will learn essential techniques such as sludge dewatering, composting, and thermal drying tailored to the scale and resources of small systems. The course emphasizes regulatory compliance, cost-effective solutions, and sustainable practices to ensure safe handling and beneficial reuse of biosolids, fostering environmental stewardship within local communities.

Pretreatment
Thursday, October 15, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Procrastinator Theatre 
0.2 Wastewater CECs
Participants will learn essential elements and practices for a successful municipal pretreatment program.

Ballroom B 

Utility Master Planning
Thursday, October 15, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Ballroom B
0.2 Dual CECs
This presentation will review the fundamental concepts of an effective utility masterplan.  Workshop attendees will learn how to prepare for, execute, and utilize utility masterplans as an element of effective utility management.

Safety
Thursday, October 15, 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Ballroom B
0.2 Dual CECs
This workshop will cover how to build safety awareness and provide safety practices that will help you mitigate hazards in the workplace. Topics covered include: The importance of workplace safety, identifying potential hazards in the plant and field, PPE, chemical safety and handling, electrical safety, confined space entry and creating a safety culture.

 

Updated September 30, 2026