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.

  Agenda

  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