Groundwater 101Week JULY 13-17, 2026 | VIRTUAL
days of training
11 SESSIONS FIVE
Groundwater 101 Week Committee Kate E. Richards, LHG, CHG, WSP Hiroko Hort, Ph.D., PE, GSI Environmental Inc Clay Sorensen, CHG, West Yost Aman Singh, Ph.D., GSI Environmental Inc Trelawney Bullis, AC Foods Raghavendra Suribhatla, Ph.D, P.E., Haley & Aldrich Ayman Alzraiee, Ph.D., GSI Environmental Inc Trevor Pontifex, PG, Montgomery & Associates
Groundwater 101Week JULY 13-17, 2026 | VIRTUAL
ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES 7/10! Per Session: Member: $55 Non-Member: $75 Student Member: $20 Government/Academic/NGO: $40
All Sessions: Member: $440 Non-Member: $600 Student Member: $160 Government/Academic/NGO: $320
Corporate Rate
Get access to courses for your whole company at one flat rate!
Per Session: $550
All Sessions: $4,400
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Premier Sponsor - $4,500
• Complementary full registration for your entire company • Logos on introduction slides of each presentation and website • Short promo video (2 mins max) on the registration website (and a link in Hydrovisions to it) • Full-page Hydrovisions • Attendee registration list
Student Sponsor - $2,000
• Complementary full registration for one • Logos on introduction slides of each presentation and website • Short promo video (2 mins max) on the registration website (and a link in Hydrovisions to it) • Full-page Hydrovisions Ad • Attendee registration list
Event Sponsor - $850
• Complementary full registration for one • Logos on introduction slides of each presentation and website • Half-page Hydrovisions Ad • Attendee registration list
Session Sponsor - $500
• Complimentary registration for sponsored session • Logos on introduction slides of each presentation and website • Attendee registration list
Interested in sponsoring the event? Contact asmith@grac.org
GROUNDWATER 101 WEEK AGENDA JULY 13, 2026 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Groundwater Quality 101 Speakers: Michael Schaefer, PhD Clay Sorensen, CHG, West Yost Learning Objectives: • Understanding occurrence and distribution of groundwater contaminants/constituents • Major contaminants and water quality indicators • Monitoring, standards, and groundwater protection frameworks, including QA/QC and visualization of groundwater quality datasets 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM Early Career Industry Overview – Free Course Trevor has degrees in geology and engineering, and worked two internships with other companies before starting at Montgomery & Associates, where he has been a hydrogeolgist for the last 6 years. Trevor values variety in his work and has significant experience with field work, data analysis, modeling, and writing and presenting. He also helps organize events for GRA Southern California Branch. Speaker: Trevor Pontifex, PG, Montgomery & Associates Learning Objectives: • Find jobs that fit your skills, interests, and values • Get hired (networking, resumes, cover letters, interviews) • On the job: adjusting from student life to consulting • Benefits of GRA membership and networking 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Principles of Efficient Water Well Design He has nearly 40 years of experience as a professional geologist specializing in development of ground water for municipal use. Kevin was a founding member and Chair of the CA/NV AWWA Water Well Technology Committee, member of the AWWA A100 Well Standards Committee and is a current member of the CA DWR Well Standards Update Committee. Prior to joining Roscoe Moss Company, he worked as Director of Recharge Operations and as a Senior Hydrogeologist for the Orange County Water District in Fountain Valley, CA. He is a Registered Geologist in the State of California. He is also the recipient of the 2022 National Groundwater Association’s McEllhiney Distinguished Lecturer Award. Speaker: Kevin McGillicuddy, Chief Hydrogeologist, Roscoe Moss Company Learning Objectives: • Gain insights into the development of groundwater resources for municipal use. • Learn about water well standards and technological advancements from industry committees. • Analyze real-world groundwater management case studies, including recharge operations at the Orange County Water District.
JULY 14, 2026 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM PFAS Sources and Potential Source Signatures: Beyond AFFF Dr. DiFilippo has extensive experience addressing the fate and transport of organic and inorganic chemicals in the environment. She has conducted numerous studies of groundwater transport, statistical geochemical analysis, groundwater age-dating, PFAS and DNAPL. She is currently a board member for NGWA’s Scientists and Engineers Section, leads NGWA’s PFAS working group and contributed to ITRC’s PFAS guidance document. In addition, Dr. DiFilippo is a contributing author to NGWA’s PFAS forensics manuscript. Speaker: Dr. Erica DiFilippo Learning Objectives: • Types of PFAS sources • Various types of PFAS manufacturing and its impact on PFAS signatures • Typical signatures from various manufacturing processes using PFAS 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM A Practitioner’s Guide to Managing Characterization and Remediation Projects Environmental geologists and engineers entering soil and groundwater characterization and remediation need to navigate technical, regulatory, and communication challenges. This lecture is designed to provide a summary overview for entry- to mid-level professionals seeking a practical understanding of contaminated site management. The lecture explains the full project lifecycle, starting with Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, followed by Phase II, remediation, and closure. Key technical work such as development of conceptual site models, evaluation of remedial approaches, and performance monitoring are also discussed. The session then covers the regulatory requirements with emphasis on how state frameworks guide investigation, risk assessment, cleanup decision, and reporting. The session also highlights practical site management skills such as coordinating field activities, managing contractors, and maintaining project schedules. Participants will learn how to present technical findings clearly to regulators and clients. The lecture also addresses stakeholder engagement, including strategies for communication, managing expectations, and building trust throughout a project. The lecture demonstrates how technical work, regulatory requirements, and communication come together to support effective management of contaminated sites. Speaker: Hassan Amini, PhD, PG, GSI Learning Objectives: • Understand the full contaminated site management process, from Phase I/II investigations through remediation and closure. • Learn practical approaches for soil and groundwater characterization, conceptual site modeling, and remedial evaluation. • Develop skills in regulatory compliance, project management, and effective communication with regulators, clients, and stakeholders.
JULY 15, 2026 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Introduction to MODFLOW 6: The Newest Addition to the MODFLOW Family of Models MODFLOW 6 was released by the USGS in 2017 and has been rapidly changing ever since. This lecture explores the differences between MODFLOW 6 and the other members of the MODFLOW family of groundwater models. The pros and cons of using MODFLOW 6 will be discussed, along with the unique features in MODFLOW 6 not found in other versions of MODFLOW. The various grid types supported by MODFLOW 6 will be presented and explained. MODFLOW 6 is also the best supported version of MODFLOW in flopy, the python interface to MODFLOW. An example tutorial in flopy will be explained and provided for the student to explore on their own time. Speaker: James O. Rumbaugh, III Learning Objectives: • Gain insights into the use of MODFLOW 6. • Learn how to use Groundwater Vistas and python to create MODFLOW 6 models • Understand the benefits of MODFLOW 6 compared to other MODFLOW versions 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Simulation of Solute and Heat Transport with USGT and MF6 and Other General Transport Simulation Fundamentals USGT and MF6 are open-source public domain simulators for groundwater flow and transport. Use of these simulators may be easy given available tools and GUIs that support such modeling efforts. However, proper application of these transport models for evaluating solute and/or heat migration in the subsurface further requires an understanding of the transport processes/mechanisms and the specific numerical approaches used to solve the transport equations. This class presents an overview of transport solution capabilities, approaches developed in USGT and MF6 and guidance on accuracy, error trapping, and overcoming issues with transport models. Speaker: Sorab Panday, PhD Learning Objectives: • Transport modeling fundamentals • Transport modeling capabilities of USGT and MF6
JULY 16, 2026 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM An Introduction to Borehole Geophysics and Its Applications Borehole geophysics is a powerful technique for characterizing the subsurface environment in new or existing wells. It involves measuring various physical properties of rocks and soils using downhole instruments and sensors. These measurements can provide information on the lithology, porosity, permeability, and other important properties of the subsurface, which is crucial for a variety of applications such as groundwater exploration, environmental remediation, and geotechnical investigations. The field of borehole geophysics is undergoing a significant evolution, driven by advancements in digital data acquisition systems, sophisticated processing software, and increasingly miniaturized and robust probe designs. This progress has led to a proliferation of downhole tools that are now considered standard in many subsurface investigations such as acoustic televiewers and electrical resistivity logs while other more advanced methods, such as nuclear magnetic resonance, continue to be adapted for a wider range of applications and site conditions. Consequently, borehole geophysics is no longer a niche technique but is becoming a fundamental component of site characterization. This expanding toolkit and its broader application underscore the urgent need for geoscientists and engineers at all levels to develop a comprehensive understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the specific tools they employ. This course will cover when and where to use downhole geophysics, broad types and applications of downhole geophysical probes, best practices when developing a survey, overview of borehole geophysics deliverables, and some case studies and lessons learned in the field. Speaker: Nick Rebman Learning Objectives: • When and where to use geophysics • Applications of geophysical probes • Review of geophysical logs and how to interpret them 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Technical Writing & Presentation Development 101 Effective communication of technical information is a vital skill for water industry professionals in both public and private sectors. Most project deliverables include a written technical memo or report, which can range from a couple to several thousand pages depending on the nature of the project. In addition to written deliverables, technical staff are often required to present project updates and/or conclusions to clients, public agency boards, stakeholders, and other water industry professionals (for example, at the 2024 Western Groundwater Congress being held October 7-9 at Lake Tahoe, CA). The first half of this course will focus on general approaches for writing and organizing technical documents, while the second half of the course will focus on preparing and delivering oral presentations. Differences between the two mediums will be discussed, with tips and tricks for each provided. Speaker: Gus Tolley, PhD, Daniel B. Stephens & Associates, Inc Learning Objectives: • Fundamental technical writing tips • Presentation development tips • Oral presentation delivery/audience engagement tips • Differences in overall approach between writing and oral presentations in technical field
JULY 17, 2026 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Groundwater Risk Assessment and Risk-Based Remediation The class will provide an overview of human health risk assessment and focus on fate and transport and exposure pathways related to groundwater. Specifically, the class will discuss vapor intrusion, soil and soil vapor leaching to groundwater, and groundwater lateral transport pathways. The class will focus on risk-based investigation and remediation and discuss forward risk calculations, risk-based remediation goals, and the point of compliance for groundwater evaluations. Speakers: Caryn Kelly, CPPS Laura Trozzolo Learning Objectives: • Components of a Risk Assessment • Data Needs and Evaluation • Exposure Assessment
• Toxicity Assessment • Risk Characterization • Remedial Action Objectives • Cleanup Goals • Risk-Based Levels and Drinking Water Standards
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Aquifer Pumping Tests: Application of Practical Methodologies for Extracting Relevant and Useful Characteristics about an Aquifer and a Well Installation The session will cover the basics associated with conducting aquifer pumping tests including: the well installation, step drawdown tests, barometric effects, aquifer test design, data collection, and data analysis. The session with explain the hydrodynamics associated with radial groundwater flow to a well and will provide a high-level discussion of the groundwater theory that underlies the different types of pumping tests analyses. Both traditional analysis methods and more advanced analysis methods better suited for complex or heterogeneous aquifers will be explained. The second half of the session will discuss case examples where aquifer test data is presented and analyzed. The case examples will include applications of borehole flowmeter techniques to characterize the three-dimensional aspects of groundwater flow that could be important for efficient well design, for optimizing well field operations, and for better characterization of flow and transport processes. Speaker: Steven Youn, Pd.D, PE, PG, Intera Incorporated Learning Objectives: • Learn the principles of aquifer pumping tests • Review theory underling pumping tests and data analysis methods for different circumstances
Groundwater 101Week JULY 13-17, 2026 | VIRTUAL
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