Southeast District Water Operators School

Conducted by the:

• Minnesota Department of Health, and
• American Water Works Association - Minnesota Section

Tuesday, March 10 to Thursday, March 12, 2026
Rochester International Event Center
7333 Airport View Drive SW
Rochester, Minnesota 55902

Attendees will receive 16 contact hours.

A certification exam will be held at 8:30 a.m. on March 12.

Applications for the exam must be submitted by February 25, 2026:

• Water Supply System Operator Exam Application (PDF)

or contact Noel Hansen, noel.hansen@state.mn.us, 651-201-4690.

Registration details for the Southeast School

• Fee: $215
  ($225 after February 23, 2026)
• Register and pay on-line:
  MN AWWA Community Calendar

Lodging is available at the Country Inn and Suites (next door to the Event Center), 7320 Airport View Drive SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55902. Call 507-218-7903 and ask for the special AWWA rate for guest rooms.

Registration details for Southeast School

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Morning

• Registration begins at 7:00 a.m. with the school beginning at 8:00 a.m.
• Keynote Speaker - Reflections on a Career, Stew Thornley - Unfiltered
• Lead Service Line Replacement Programs - Luke Payne, Rochester Public Utilities, and Corey Mathisen, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
• Water for People
• Vendor Show with lunch served in the room

Afternoon

• Operator Interface with Water Jeopardy at the Country Inn and Suites

Evening

• Viewing party at the Country Inn and Suites: Utah Mammoth vs. Minnesota Wild

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Morning

• Sessions start at 7:45 a.m.
• Exam Prep, starting at 8:30, will be held all day and conducted by Bob Klug, Minnesota Rural Water Association, and Jeff Dale, Dakota Supply Group

or

• Minnesota Department of Health Update - Kate Novy, MDH
• PFAS Regulatory Update - Brian Rivers, MDH
• Small Town, Big Demand, Now What? - Jake Pichelmann and Anna Schlaak, Bolton & Menk
• Evolving with Technology, Best Practices and Mandates in Utility Locating - Joe Rubbelke, Utility Logic

Afternoon

• Exam Prep, starting at 8:30, will be held all day and conducted by Bob Klug, Minnesota Rural Water Association, and Jeff Dale, Dakota Supply Group

or

• Finding the Right Fit - Mike Novitzki, ISG
• Whose on Your Team? - Amy Schroeder, UC Laboratories
• Beyond Smart Meters: How to Reduce Non-Revenue Water - Brad Simms, Dakota Supply Group

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Morning

• Sessions being at 8:00 a.m.
• Southeast District Business Meeting
• Chemicals: Applications to Safe Delivery - Jon Larson and Eric Sorenson, Hawkins Water Treatment Group
• Hands' On Demonstrations at Core & Main, 2913 County Highway 16, Rochester
  Core & Main will provide lunch

or

• Certification Exams at 8:30 a.m. at Rochester Public Utilities, 4000 East River Road NE

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