Breeze Summer 2026 by Kelman & Associates

Message from our Section Office

Is Water. . . Stranger than Fiction?

IWhat other water-related books or movies have you read/seen? It doesn’t have to be science fiction. There are lots of films that focus on or feature water as a key plotline. What about Dark Water, or Erin Brockovich, Chinatown, or The Shape of Water? Email me at mona@mnawwa.org and tell us your favorite water stories!

recently went to the movies for the first time since before COVID. In fact, it’s been so long since I went to a cinema, I can’t even remember the last movie I saw in a theater! But a couple weeks ago, I went to see Project Hail Mary, which was a really enjoyable experience. I have not read the book, but those who have told me the film adaptation is quite well done. If you’ve seen it, too, maybe like me, you found yourself identifying with the sense of being alone in an abyss, of being left behind, of being pushed into doing something you don’t feel prepared for – or on the positive side – the excitement of exploring, of making an lasting impact on people, and of the joys of companionship with a good friend.

I found myself thinking a lot afterward about what aspects of the story were realistic or not. And wondering. . . will I live to see something like this? Or would my children, or grandchildren? A world and existence threatened? In Project Hail Mary, the world is threatened by the decreasing temperature of the sun creating a catastrophic ice age. And my thoughts started leading me to wonder – just how far-fetched is science fiction? Then, since I needed an interesting topic for this article, I thought I’d pivot the question to think about how WATER has played a role in film and science fiction.

Have you seen the recent adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune, or read the book(s)? In Dune, the desert planet Arrakis is defined by its lack of water, and the struggle to obtain and control water drives much of the plot and shapes the culture of the planet’s inhabitants,

emphasizing water’s value as a commodity more precious than gold. There’s also a 2015 book by Paolo Bacigalupi, called The Water Knife, which I haven’t read, but just downloaded to my nook. The book is set in a near-future American Southwest ravaged by climate change and extreme drought, where water is the most valuable commodity, and the battle for water rights becomes a matter of life and death. I have a feeling it will be a dark story, and one that might strike a little too close to reality. I will have to let you know after reading it.

On the flip side of ‘scarcity,’ there are science fiction stories and films that imagine worlds where water is abundant, but its presence is fraught with danger. Probably the most commercially-known is Waterworld, wherein polar ice caps have melted and Earth is flooded, water is everywhere, but drinkable water is scarce. And of course, there are stories like The Abyss or The Sphere, or even The Meg(!) where water holds otherworldly creatures in hidden depths.

Whether depicted as scarce, abundant, or something with hidden wonders or dangers, water in science fiction can serve as a powerful narrative device. It makes us reflect on humanity’s relationship with the environment and raises questions about sustainability, adaptation, and survival. Phew. Heavy stuff, right? Next time I go to the movies, maybe I should pick something a little lighter. Good thing I got to see previews for upcoming movies when I went to see Project Hail Mary The Sheep Detectives is looking really good right now! •

Mona Cavalcoli

Call for Exhibitors

MN AWWA Annual Conference’s Trade Show takes place

Wednesday, September 16th

During Trade Show hours, no technical sessions are conducted. Time in the Exhibit Hall is meant for attendees to be focused on networking and talking with vendors, so that they can learn about and see the latest products and services being showcased by our 100+ exhibitors. The Exhibit Hall opens at 10:00 am, immediately following the Opening General Session. After that, activites are happening in the Exhibit Hall all day, including:

Buffet Lunch for all attendees

Mid-afternoon snacks & reception Competitions:

Pipe Tapping Competition

Hydrant Hysteria Competition

Meter Challenge

Registration

Opens June 5

Booth Fee: $515*

(for AWWA Members) includes two (2) booth passes.

*fee is higher for non-AWWA members ($750).

Extra Large spaces (L1-L5) are $700 for AWWA members and $950 for non-members

*Electric NOT included.

Exhibitors Setup 7:00 - 10:00 am

Trade Show Open 10:00 am - 3:30 pm

Exhibitors Break down 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Attendees can vote on the best tasting water in the “Best in Glass”

“People’s Choice” voting runs from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Final Judging Panel for “Best in Glass”

Registration Registration

Opens June 5

Join the action in Pioneer Hall on Wednesday September 16. See new products and services, cheer on competitors, vote on the best water and more!

MN AWWA Annual Conference

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Recognition at EVERYTHING, including name badges, registration kiosks, event app, all competitions, all Tuesday events, plus prominent signage recognition. Includes an $850 coupon to use toward registration.

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Recognition at two (2) competitions, two (2) Tuesday events, in the event app, and prominent signage recognition. Includes a $650 coupon to use toward registration.

Recognition at one (1) competitions, one (1) Tuesday events, in the event app, and prominent signage recognition. Includes a $450 coupon to use toward registration.

RECOGNITION

Get Ready for a Great Conference in Duluth: September 15-18, 2026. Tuesday Events

Registration Opens June 5

Start making plans for September - here’s a look at what is already planned. Tuesday philanthropic event info below - remember, many of these events sell out, so sign up and get your tickets early. As more technical program details are confirmed, updates about the concurrent technical tracks will be published on the section website at www.mnawwa.org

Tuesday September 15: Philanthropic Events

Fishing Tournament

$150 per person

Arrive marina 11:30 am; leaves from various marinas

Golf Tournament: Enger Park Golf Course

$120 per person - limited to 36 foursomes!!!!!

Check in 8:30-10 am; Breakfast sandwiches at 9:30 am

Shotgun Start at 11:00 am

Bus transportation provided (8:45 pickup at Canal Park Lodge)

Sporting Clays: Old Vermilion Trail

$55 per person, per round (50 shots per round; shells not included)

Shoot times: 9:30 AM or 1:00 PM (check in 30 minutes prior) Register for one or both rounds

Lunch Provided

New shooters welcome! No experience needed. Indicate at registration if you need a gun or assistance.

NEW! Local Park Clean-up Event (or similar volunteer event)

Join our volunteers for a clean-up at a local Duluth Park Beer & Bags Tourney: Canal Park Brewery

7:00 pm Tuesday

$60 per team; must register in advance

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Think you have the best tasting water in MN? Prove it!

Drop off a labeled one gallon sample from your water system at the MN AWWA Annual Conference Registration Desk in Duluth by 10:00 AM on Wednesday to compete in the 2026 “Best in Glass” Water Taste Test!

Samples must be room temperature

Containers not picked up from the Registration Desk before the end of the Conference will be thrown away.

WE CAREaboutthe EN VIR

As we continue to deliver valuable information through the pages of this magazine, in a printed format that is appealing, reader-friendly and not lost in the proliferation of electronic messages that are bombarding our senses, we are also well aware of the need to be respectful of our environment. That is why we are committed to publishing the magazine in the most environmentally-friendly process possible. Here is what we mean:

• We use lighter publication stock that consists of recycled paper. This paper has been certified to meet the environmental and social standards of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC ®) and comes from responsibly managed forests, and verified recycled sources making this a RENEWABLE and SUSTAINABLE resource.

• Our computer-to-plate technology reduces the amount of chemistry required to create plates for the printing process. The resulting chemistry is neutralized to the extent that it can be safely discharged to the drain.

• We use vegetable oil-based inks to print the magazine. This means that we are not using resource-depleting petroleum-based ink products and that the subsequent recycling of the paper in this magazine is much more environment friendly.

• During the printing process, we use a solvent recycling system that separates the water from the recovered solvents and leaves only about 5% residue. This results in reduced solvent usage, handling and hazardous hauling.

• We ensure that an efficient recycling program is used for all printing plates and all waste paper.

• Within the pages of each issue, we actively encourage our readers to REUSE and RECYCLE.

• In order to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet, we utilize a carbon offset program in conjunction with any travel we undertake related to our publishing responsibilities for the magazine.

DOES YOUR UTILITY RATE STRUCTURE STILL MAKE SENSE?

BY JON EATON, AE2S, MN AWWA PAST SECRETARY-TREASURER

Utility rate structures tend to evolve quietly, but the environment around them is changing quickly. In recent years, communities have experienced sharp increases in the cost of maintaining and improving utility systems. At a February 2026 panel discussion in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA) reported that wastewater project costs have increased by about 175% in just five years. Water project costs have risen by more than 400%.

Treatment chemicals and repair parts have also seen significant fluctuations and supply challenges. Setting and adjusting utility rates is not a one-time decision. It requires careful conversation, ongoing planning, and alignment between system needs, financial realities, and community expectations.

Over time, as systems and communities change, a structure that once felt reasonable can become difficult to explain, administer, or defend. In this context, even well-intentioned rate structures can quickly fall out of alignment.

For public works and finance leaders, the question is not whether rates should ever change, but when it is time to take a closer look at whether the current structure supports system needs and long-term financial sustainability. The City of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, is an example of a city currently navigating this reality.

Was Your System Built for a Different Time?

Many stormwater utilities were created decades ago to establish a dedicated funding source for infrastructure historically supported by general funds. Early rate structures reflected the tools available at the time: limited parcellevel data, manual calculations, and broad assumptions about runoff and system use.

Since then, capabilities have changed significantly. Today, communities can access GIS-based parcel data, high-resolution aerial imagery, and more precise measurements of impervious and pervious surfaces. System modeling and asset management practices have also improved.

In many cases, however, rate structures have not evolved at the same pace. Methodologies designed for simplicity may no longer reflect how runoff is generated, costs are incurred, or how systems operate today. This disconnect is often the quiet trigger for a rate evaluation.

Signal One: Costs are Rising Faster Than Revenue

In Inver Grove Heights, aging infrastructure, evolving regulatory requirements, and years of deferred investment created a growing gap between system needs and available funding. While these pressures are familiar across many communities, they often expose underlying weaknesses in existing rate models. When costs consistently outpace revenue, incremental adjustments are rarely sufficient.

A comprehensive rate evaluation helps determine whether revenues align with:

• Lifecycle maintenance and replacement needs

• Regulatory compliance

• Capital improvement planning

• Long-term financial resilience

Signal Two: Complexity Without Clear Rationale

Inver Grove Heights’ stormwater utility included more than 200 custom rates across 45 different categories, with limited documentation explaining how or why distinctions were made. Over time, this level of complexity can create administrative burden, equity concerns, and difficulty explaining rates to decision-makers or customers.

A rate study provides an opportunity to assess whether this complexity is still justified, or whether there’s a better way to improve transparency, consistency, and defensibility while maintaining revenue stability.

Signal Three: Significant Changes to the Community

Inver Grove Heights includes both urban and rural development patterns. Some properties are served by curb-and-gutter systems, while others rely on ditches and gravel roads, and the entire community benefits from parks and waterways, connected roads, city services, and proximity to major highways. Although the infrastructure looks different in various neighborhoods, the system functions as a whole.

When land use patterns, growth, or service expectations change, rate structures that once aligned with system impacts may no longer do so. A structured evaluation helps answer key questions:

• Do rate categories reflect how the system operates today?

Does your rate structure factor in the holistic community benefits of the utility?

• Has your community seen significant growth or development since the rate structure was implemented?

A Proactive Approach

The City of Inver Grove Heights did not wave a magic wand for an instant fix. What they have now is a roadmap and a plan, backed by data, and customized to their unique situation. This gives them a solid foundation to begin leadership and community conversations to continue providing those essential services often hidden behind the scenes.

When it comes to budgeting and maintenance, a proactive approach is always better than struggling to find a solution amid a crisis situation. If you or your support team struggle when explaining the utility rate structure, or your operational costs are exceeding your utility collections, it may be time to take a closer look. Contact Jacob Strombeck, PE, AE2S Nexus Practice Leader at jacob.strombeck@ae2s.com if you’d like more information about the rate study process. •

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AWWA h as a New Infrastructure Report: Beyond the Replacement Era

Infrastructure, resilience, & other costs are pushing the limits of water affordability. AWWA’s new infrastructure report investigates balancing compounding infrastructure needs with household affordability.

The U.S.’s drinking water systems have entered a new cost era. Communities are no longer facing just an assetreplacement challenge. Communities are confronting a compounding set of cost drivers including aging infrastructure, regulatory compliance, climate and resilience investments, cybersecurity risks, rising operations and maintenance costs, and treating more complex water sources. Over the next 25 years (2026–2050), total drinking water infrastructure needs are projected at $2.1 – $2.4 trillion (2025 dollars), far exceeding earlier estimates that focused primarily on replacing buried pipes.

These pressures represent a structural shift in the cost of providing safe, reliable drinking water, not a temporary spike.

If communities rely exclusively on revenue from water bills to close the funding gap, average annual household drinking water bills would rise 126% by 2050, without considering inflation.

GET THE REPORT! Just go to www.awwa.org/beyondthe-replacement-era and enter your name and contact details to get the report. •

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Interview: PLANT-BASED WATER FILTERS COULD TRANSFORM WATER TREATMENT

Researchers from the University of Minnesota are working on a promising new method that could remove microplastics and PFAS from residential water sources thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Water Research Fund (MWRF).

UMN Assistant Professor Boya Xiong and PhD student Ji Qin are leading the project. Qin’s research focuses on membrane technologies for water treatment, with a focus on designing water filters from plantbased materials to remove contaminants from drinking water. Xiong and Qin took a moment from their work to share insights with MDH Drinking Water Protection about their research and its potential benefit to transform how we treat water contamination on a larger scale. This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

MDH Drinking Water Protection (DWP): What are you trying to find out with this research?

Xiong:

The research question would be how to develop and modify the plant-based material using the new technology we’re developing so that we can achieve the efficient removal of microplastics and PFAS while having the filter adapt to different water qualities and many different end-user scenarios.

DWP: How did you get involved in this research?

Xiong:

The current technology of treating the most-prevalent pollutants- PFAS and microplastics falls short because it’s very difficult to control so many different pollutants at once. Treatments such as activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis membranes that work in water treatment plants fall short in treating and mitigating these pollutants in the household, or are too expensive to be affordable for all income level households. So, we’re trying to develop technology that can handle all these different contaminants while reducing the treatment cost, including legacy contaminants (like crypto and bacteria), all at the same time. We want to

solve the most pressing environmental problems in our water quality by focusing on the most important, harmful, and prevalent pollutants: PFAS, microplastics, and pathogens.

Qin:

As a membrane scientist, I always cared about water and sustainability. During my PhD in Professor Xiong’s lab, I started exploring the natural materials we mentioned. I hoped that [we] could help solve the real-world environmental problems. And during this time, I realized that we could use these renewable resources from wood and plant proteins to design new water filters that can be both effective and environmentally friendly.

DWP: What brought you to this place in your research?

Xiong:

In addition to pathogens as our legacy contaminants, these two pollutants, PFAS and microplastics, present new challenges to the field of environmental engineering as we try to mitigate and control them. Our responsibility, our mission as environmental engineers, is to protect water and public health by protecting the water quality. I’m very passionate about removing these contaminants from our drinking water.

DWP: How did the Minnesota Water Research Fund support help your project move forward?

Xiong:

We were very excited to get the funding from the Water Research Fund. We really think there’s a lot of potential to use this technology to remove PFAS and microplastics in our water systems, and we’re really excited about the opportunity and the funding to be able to expand that.

Help

MWRF Continue its research!

The Minnesota Water Research Fund (MWRF) drives the novel, early-stage research necessary to guide critical infrastructure decisions and protect public health across the state. By supporting UMN faculty and students, the fund ensures a steady pipeline of skilled engineers ready to tackle our most complex water challenges while fueling cutting-edge research like the plant-based filters featured here. Join our community of individual and corporate partners to help us build a permanent foundation for excellence in water research. Visit MWRF’s website to explore partnership opportunities and help us drive the next wave of water innovation.

MWRF Recognizes our Generous 2026 Partners*

Platinum Partners

Tony and Mary Belden

Bernie and Gloria Bullert

Kelly Lange-Haider and Mark Haider

Peter M. Davis Foundation

Waterous

Gold Partners

Hawkins, Inc.

Kasco Marine

Laurie and Dave Allen

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

DWP: How does this research expand our knowledge of treatment for larger scale treatment facilities?

Xiong:

One of our goals is to translate the research findings into how we can better treat microplastics and PFAS in other treatment processes. I think facility operators can be excited about the fundamental knowledge we’re creating about how PFAS interacts with our materials, how microplastics interact with our materials, the removal and capture mechanisms. All the efficiencies and insights will be

KATIE WELLE President State License #1431

Office: (763) 427-6100

Mobile: (763) 286-5283

Silver Partners

American Waterworks

Association - MN Section (AWWA-MN)

Dale Folen

ISG

Karl and Pam Streed

ME Simpson

Naeem Qureshi

TKDA

*list as of 4/8/26

valuable for municipal plants to operate and optimize their existing technologies, like coagulation and filtration systems; the fundamental knowledge that is part of Qin’s PhD research can be used and applied to larger systems.

DWP: What does the future look like for this project?

Xiong:

In the state of Minnesota, the bio-economy, sourcing and developing products from biorenewable resources, is really important, and I think the state is trying to make it stronger, make it more robust. We have a lot of wood waste in northern Minnesota. So, we’re hoping our solution is a promising technology to augment the economy by raising the value of wood waste in addition to protecting water quality.

About the Minnesota Water Research Fund

The Minnesota Water Research Fund provides research support for faculty and students of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering working in water resources management and water treatment.

Research advances generated in the laboratory with the help of funding from MWRF help guide critical water infrastructure decisions and investments across the state of Minnesota, particularly in those small communities where funds for water research, training, and education are scarce. •

INFRASTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT, FINANCING REMAIN TOP CHALLENGES FOR WATER INDUSTRY

Source: AWWA Connections

For the last decade, two issues –infrastructure renewal and replacement, and financing for capital improvements –have dominated the top of the list of concerns in the American Water Work Association’s State of the Water Industry report.

This year is no different.The State of the Water Industry report identifies the top challenges for the water sector.

Infrastructure renewal was the top issue of concern in the latest iteration of the survey, conducted in late 2025. The report, which shares the survey results and distills industry trends, was released this week.

The resilience our members show in the face of these uncontrollable forces is extraordinary, but resilience alone isn’t enough,” said Brent Tippey, vice president at HDR and AWWA president-elect. “We need strategic foresight, supportive policy, and innovations that help utilities maintain reliability even when conditions shift overnight.”

New in this year’s survey are questions about:

• The impacts of U.S. tariffs: 51% report high to considerable impact on costs and 41% to construction delays.

• AI use : 56% anticipate some level

needs (56%) and emergency repairs (54%), but executives report effects on

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2026 MN AWWA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

This is a list of current AWWA members, as of the time this magazine went to print. Don’t see your name listed here? If you are not an AWWA member, or believe you are but don’t see yourself listed here, please contact us so we can help you join or to check on your membership status. AWWA is the world’s largest association of water professionals, and a way to have access to the most up-to-date industry information and resources, not to mention it’s the best way to network with other water professionals. Questions about membership? Just ask us! Contact Liz Wahlen (liz@mnawwa.org) or Mona Cavalcoli (mona@mnawwa.org) or visit us on the web at www.mnawwa.org.

Samuel Abbott

Joe Ackerman

Minneapolis Water Works

Maya Adelgren University of Minnesota Twin Cities

James Bakken

Preston Public Utilities Commission

Tejpal Bala Bolton & Menk, Inc.

Brian Balquist

Nick Bleess

Carol Blommel Johnson Metropolitan Council

Todd Blomstrom

Rochester Public Utilities

Ian Brudnak Voss

Emily Bruess

Caitlin Brunette

Saint Paul Regional Water Services

Steve Bruskiewicz

Anthony Aderhold SAK Construction

Carter Aguilar Minneapolis Water Works

Abby Ahrendt

Chuck Allan

Adib Amini

Brian Amudson DeZURIK, Inc.

Tim Amundsen City of Excelsior

Brandon Anderson City of Apple Valley

Scott Anderson City of Bloomington

Chris Anderson City of Granite Falls

Brett Anderson Minneapolis Water Works

Anita Anderson Minnesota Department of Health

Scott Anderson Saint Paul Regional Water Services

Craig Anderson

Wells Public Utility Comm

Todd Anderson

Heidi Andrist Rochester Public Utilities

William Angerman WHKS & Co.

Marie Asgian Minneapolis Water Works

Michael Atwood

Elk River Municipal Utilities

Randy Atwood Ford Meter Box Company, Inc.

Brian Austinson Owatonna Public Utilities

Tim Bagstad Saint Paul Regional Water Services

Paul Bailey City of Eagan

Annika Bankston Minneapolis Water Works

Donald Bartell DeZURIK, Inc.

Randy Bartz TNEMEC Company

Tareq Bastawisy University of Minnesota

Glenn Bauer Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission

Jon Beck

Saint Paul Regional Water Services

Carie Becker Mankato Utilities

Keven Becklin City of Fridley Water Department

Anthony Belden

Terry Benson Thief River Falls Water

Robert Benson

Mitchell Berg Minneapolis Water Works

Tricia Berger Woolpert

David Berkowitz

Stacey Bickler Wigen Water Technologies

Sara Binahmed-Menzies

Matt Binsfeld

Ross Bintner City of Edina

Alex Bitter Widseth Smith Nolting & Associates

Duane Bjelland Rochester Public Utilities

Lori Blair

Minnesota Rural Water Association

Jeff Blakely

American Cast Iron Pipe Co.

Trevor Blaska City of Brooklyn Park

Molly Bledsoe

Douglas Bode City of Waconia

Tim Bohmer

Aubrey Boie

Nicole Bolea

Gregory Bona

Minneapolis Water Works

Jason Bordewyk Azuria Water Solutions

Rachel Boulden

Adam Bourassa St. Cloud Public Utilities

Michael Bourke Wigen Water Technologies

Michael Bourland

Minneapolis Water Works

Abby Bowman AE2S

Dan Boyce

Darren Braegelman City of Belgrade

Brenton Brakke Kurita America

Anthony Bramante

Robert Bredeson

Matthew Brekke City of Byron

Dustin Bremness

Emily Brinkman ISG

Meghan Brockman

Nicholas Brogren Kurita America

Theodore Brokaw

Abbie Browen City of Plymouth

David Brown

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services

Tami Brown Ulteig

Clow Valve Co./ McWane, Inc.

Michael Bucholz

Rochester Public Utilities

Bernie Bullert

Alex Bumgardner

Austin Utilities

Brent Bunke

Rochester Public Utilities

Martha Burckhardt

Saint Paul Regional Water Services

Ryan Burfeind

City of Cottage Grove

Ella Burfeind

City of Waite Park

Sandeep Burman

Minnesota Department of Health

Scott Burnell

Minneapolis Water Works

Pete Burns

City of Le Sueur-Water/Wastewater

Todd Butz

Orthos Liquid Systems

Tony Cangello

Thomas & Betts (ABB)

Chris Capecchi City of Plymouth

Wade Cardinal

Thief River Falls Water

Brad Carlson

Shakopee Public Utilities

Michelle Carter HDR Engineering, Inc.

Jake Casebeer

City of Chanhassen

Nate Cassidy

Saint Paul Regional Water Services

Qigang Chang

Graeme Chaple

Saint Paul Regional Water Services

Che Fei Chen

Saint Paul Regional Water Services

Bounkheana Chhun

Saint Paul Regional Water Services

Jim Chidester

Daniel Childs City of Big Lake

Diana Chiodo

Minneapolis Water Works

Matthew Chosa

Paul Christensen PeopleService

Jonathan Christensen

Dave Cluff

Aitkin Public Utilities Commission

Tim Colgan Carus Corporation

Pat Conrad City of Bloomington

Jacob Conway Saint Paul Regional Water Services

Brandon Coombs Wigen Water Technologies

Ramsey Coronado Saint Paul Regional Water Services

Chad Corwin

Minnesota’s Collaborative Advocacy

AT THE 2026 WATER WEEK AND WATER MATTERS DC FLY-IN

By Kallie Doeden, City of Bloomington

“

THE MINNESOTA DELEGATION ADDED STRENGTH TO THIS COLLECTIVE VOICE FROM ACROSS ALL 50 STATES, REPRESENTING MANY ORGANIZATIONS IN ADDITION TO AWWA AND CSWEA/WEF, TO MEET AND DISCUSS THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES WITH OUR LEGISLATORS.

On April 14 and April 15, the Minnesota delegation had an incredible opportunity to advocate for water issues in Washington, DC as part of the 2026 Water Week and Water Matters DC Fly-In, which began 25 years ago from initiatives stemming out of the AWWA Water Utility Council (WUC). This year’s Minnesota delegation was made up of a mix of Minnesota Section Young Professionals (YPs), public service professionals, educators, and consultants serving communities throughout the state of Minnesota. The group met with 9 of 10 Minnesota legislators in Washington DC to advocate for core water issues that are vital to the water industry and the communities we serve as public utilities. Overall, legislators were quite knowledgeable and supportive of our water-related requests and their importance to communities in Minnesota and throughout the United States. The Minnesota delegation added strength to this collective voice from across all 50 states, representing many organizations in addition to AWWA and CSWEA/WEF, to meet and discuss these important issues with our legislators.

WATER AND WASTEWATER ADVOCACY TOPICS

Our Minnesota Fly-In team focused on several important topics to AWWA and CSWEA/WEF in collaboration with 2026 Water Week:

• Strengthening the nation’s water infrastructure through continued and additional water infrastructure funding.

• Supporting the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle for PFAS clean-up and holding polluters accountable.

• Ensuring water affordability for all Americans.

• Improving water and wastewater system cybersecurity and resilience.

• Workforce development, especially for recruiting and educating future operators.

• Supporting passage of the WIPPES Act to require ‘Do Not Flush’ labelling on all nonflushable wipes packaging.

THE MINNESOTA DELEGATION

This year’s Minnesota delegation to the Fly-In included a diverse group of water professionals to advocate to our legislators with a united voice for water and wastewater. The MN delegation consisted of:

Kallie Doeden, City of Bloomington –MN Section YP and Water Equation Fly-In Scholarship Awardee

Emily Schaber, Kimley-Horn –MN Section YP

• T.J. Stroebl, Kurita – MN Section member and Association President

• Liz Thompson, MSA – MN Section YP

• Uma Vempati, Kimley-Horn –WUC Member

Rochelle Widmer, City of Columbia Heights – MN Section YP

• Toni Amenrud, Asterra

• Gregg Kropp, St. Cloud Technical & Community College – CSWEA/WEF

• Sam Paske, Metropolitan Council Abram Peterson, Carollo – CSWEA/WEF

PARTING THOUGHTS

Our delegation was very grateful to be part of this collective voice, advocating for important water issues that can best serve our amazing Minnesota communities now and into the future. One takeaway from our group is that this work is on-going and we can all be advocates in our communities for our communities.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Thank you AWWA and CSWEA/WEF and to the amazing water and wastewater folks who were part of the MN delegation as well as all the national coordinators bringing this event and important advocacy week together.

ABOUT WATER UTILITY COUNCIL AND THE WATERMATTERS DC FLY-IN

Each year the Minnesota Section - WUC coordinates a delegation for the Fly-In. The Association provides funding for delegates

from each state based on the state’s number of representatives in congress. Each state receives funding for at least one delegate, including Minnesota, to assure that all 50 states are represented. The Minnesota Section has long recognized the value of the Fly-In and has provided funding for additional delegates. This year, the Section provided funding for two additional delegates, and a third delegate received a competitive grant to attend the Fly-In through the Association Water Equation for YPs. This year we were able to send five delegates,

including TJ Stroebl who was already in Washington, DC on other business as the Association President.

The WUC stives to assemble a diverse group of delegates that reflects our membership including both Fly-In veterans and first-time attendees, as well as representatives from public utilities, commercial, and consulting backgrounds. If you are a Minnesota section member and interested in participating in a future Fly-In, please reach out to the WUC chair Jim de Lambert at jdelambert@carslonmccain.com, or even better, get involved with the WUC today! •

MN Delegation Outside of the Capitol Building. Top row left to right: Sam Paske, Rochelle Widmer, Uma Vempati, T.J. Stroebl, Abram Peterson, Gregg Kropp; bottom row left to right: Toni Amenrud, Kallie Doeden, Emily Schabert, and Liz Thompson

MN Delegation Outside of Senator Tina Smith’s Office. Left to right: Liz Thompson, Emily Schabert,

Rochelle Widmer, Kallie Doeden, T.J. Stroebl, Abram Peterson, Gregg Kropp, Sam Paske, and Uma Vempati.

MN Delegation Outside of Senator Tina Smith’s Office. Left to right: Liz Thompson, Emily Schabert, Rochelle Widmer, Kallie Doeden, T.J. Stroebl, Abram Peterson, Gregg Kropp, Sam Paske, and Uma Vempati.

Use Paper Responsibly

Today’s forest industry is working hard to become one of the greenest industries on earth.

Paper is an essential part of human civilization. While we all use and depend upon electronic communications, it is easy to ignore that it comes at an environmental cost. Worldwide spam email traffic creates greenhouse gases equivalent to burning two billion gallons of gasoline yearly, with numbers rising. More than $55 billion in toxic e-waste material is thrown away every year in the US alone, with a recycling rate of only 20% compared to 64.7% for paper.

No industry is perfect. But the paper industry has made, and continues to make, huge investments in environmental responsibility. Specifying and buying paper from certified sources ensures the continuation and growth of carbon absorbing forests. Using paper with appropriate amounts of recycled fibre helps preserve forests, conserve energy, and maximize fibre usage through paper lifecycles.

2026 MN AW WA BUYERS’ GUIDE

When making purchasing decisions about products and services in the wastewater industry throughout Minnesota and beyond, please support the companies whose advertising makes the Breeze magazine possible. You will find them quickly with our convenient, easy to use Buyers’ Guide. On the following pages, you will find information that will help you meet your purchasing requirements throughout the year ahead. The initial section of this Guide lists categories of products and services along with the various companies that can provide them to you. The following section provides an alphabetical listing of those companies, as well as the contact information you will need to reach them.

2026 MN AW WA BUYERS’ GUIDE

LISTINGS

AE2S

6901 East Fish Lake Road, Suite 184 Maple Grove, MN 55369

763-463-5036

justin.klabo@ae2s.com www.ae2s.com

AMERICAN Ductile and Iron Pipe PO Box 2727 Birmingham, AL 35202 1-800-442-2347 www.american-usa.com

Apex Engineering Group

3800 8th Street North, Suite 101 St. Cloud, MN 56303 320-640-9720

michael.quamme@apexenggroup.com www.apexenggroup.com

Arcadis US, Inc. * 331 Second Avenue South, Suite 600C Minneapolis, MN 55401 612-339-9434 allison.wheeler@arcadis.com www.arcadis.com

Barr Engineering Co. 4300 MarketPointe Drive, Suite 200 Minneapolis, MN 55435 952-832-2600 www.barr.com

Bollig Engineering 1721 Technology Drive NE, Suite 100 Willmar, MN 56201 320-235-2555

info@bollig-engineering.com www.bollig-engineering.com

Bolton & Menk, Inc.

1960 Premier Drive Mankato, MN 56001

507-352-4171

bmi@bolton-menk.com www.bolton-menk.com

Carbon Enterprises, Inc.

28205 Scippo Creek Road Circleville, OH 43113

800-344-5770

ryan@ceifiltration.com www.ceifiltration.com

E.H. Renner & Sons, Inc.

15688 Jarvis Street NW Elk River, MN 55330

763-427-6100

krenner@ehrenner.com www.ehrenner.com

Electric Pump, Inc.

201 4th Avenue SW New Prague, MN 56071 800-211-6432

info@electricpump.com www.electricpump.com

ESS Brothers and Sons, Inc. 9350 Country Road 19 Loretto, MN 55357

763-478-2027

trent@essbrothers.com www.essbrothers.com

Flow Control Automation 17959 SD Highway 15 Clear Lake, SD 57226

605-956-8142

joel@flowcontrolautomation.com www.flowcontrolautomation.com

General Repair Service 3535 International Drive Vadnais Heights, MN 55110

651-766-0874

general@generalrepair.com www.generalrepair.com

Harmsco Filtration Products 7169 49th Terrace North Riviera Beach, FL 33407 800-327-3248

sales@harmsco.com www.harmsco.com

Hawkins 2381 Rosegate Roseville, MN 55113

877-240-0304 wtg@hawkinsinc.com www.hawkinsinc.com

Hiperline 145 Field Crest Boulevard NW Cokato, MN 55321

320-286-2471 admin@hiperline.com www.hiperline.com

Integra Clear Co. 1216 6th Avenue N Kent, WA 98032

253-479-7000 info@integraclear.com www.vit-d-chlor.com

ISG

115 East Hickory Street, Suite 300 Mankato, MN 56001 507-387-6651 michael.novitski@isg.com www.isginc.com

Janssen Machine Company * 23062 Highway 34 Barnesville, MN 56514 218-493-4470 sales@janssenmachine.com www.janssenmachine.com

Jet Line Sales & Service

7505 County Road 103 SW Kensington, MN 56343 855-JET-TOOL sales@jetlinesales.com www.jetlinesales.com

M.E. Simpson Co., Inc. 3406 Enterprise Avenue Valparaiso, IN 46383 800-255-1521 nataliew@mesimpson.com www.mesimpson.com

Milbank Winwater Work Company 102 22nd Avenue, PO Box 350 Milbank, SD 57252 1-800-743-2972 adguenther@winsupply.com www.winsupply.com

Moore Engineering, Inc. 925 10th Avenue East West Fargo, MN 58078 1-800-260-6902 info@mooreengineeringic.com www.mooreengineeringinc.com

Northern Dewatering 14405 Northdale Boulevard Rogers, MN 55374

763-428-2616

vonb@northerndewatering.com www.northerndewatering.com

Northwestern Power Equipment Co., Inc.

779 County Road B2 West Roseville, MN 55113 651-628- 0683

rshannon@nwpeco.com www.nwpeco.com

Rice Lake Construction 22360 County Road 12, P.O. Box 517 Deerwood, MN 56444 218-546-5519

estimating@ricelake.org www.ricelake.org

SEH 3535 Vadnais Center Drive Saint Paul, MN 55110 651-490-2000

trustedadvisor@sehinc.com www.sehinc.com

Stantec

733 Marquette Avenue, Suite 1000 Minneapolis, MN 55402 612-712-2000

peter.daniels@stantec.com www.stantec.com

Treatment Resources, Inc. 11670 Fountains Drive, Suite 200 Maple Grove, MN 55369 651-702-2692 sales@treatmentrecources. com www.treatementresources.com

Vessco, Inc. 8217 Upland Circle Chanhassen, MN 55317 952-941-2678 info@vessco.com www.vessco.com

WW Goetsch Associates, Inc. 5250 West 74th Street Minneapolis, MN 55439 952-831-4340 jgallagher@wwgoetsch.com www.wwgoetsch.com

Water Conservation Services, Inc. Lino Lakes, MN 55014 612-600-8716 tony.schrantz@gmail.com www.waterleaklocator.com

West Tool Enclosures LLC 1330 State Highway 210 East Fergus Falls, MN 56537 218-998-6171 glen@westtoolenclosures.com www.westtoolenclosures.com

Widseth 7804 Industrial Park Road Baxter, MN 56425 218-829-5117 brainerd@widseth.com www.widseth.com

Ziegler Power Systems 8050 County Road 101 Shakopee, MN 55379 888-320-4292 www.zielgercat.com/equipment/power-systems

MN AWWA

Advertiser Product & Service Center

Breeze is made possible by the companies below who convey their important messages on our pages. We thank them for their support of The Minnesota Section of the American Water Works Association (MN AWWA) and its publication, and encourage you to contact them when making your purchasing decisions. To make it easier to contact these companies, we have included the page number of their advertisement, their phone number, and, where applicable, their website.

Integra Clear Co – Vita-D-Chlor

Janssen Machine Co.

218-493-4470 www.janssenmachine.com KLM Engineering, Inc.

888-959-5111 www.klmengineering.com M.E. Simpson Co. Inc.

605-432-4594www.winsupplyinc.com

LLC

Equipment Company

W. W. Goetsch Associates, Inc.

631-231-8100

952-831-4340

952-885-8218 www.zieglercat.com

Breeze Summer 2026

Message from our Section Office

Is Water. . . Stranger than Fiction?

Call for Exhibitors

MN AWWA Annual Conference’s Trade Show takes place

Registration

Opens June 5

MN AWWA Annual Conference

Opportunities Sponsorship Sponsorship

Get Ready for a Great Conference in Duluth: September 15-18, 2026. Tuesday Events

Registration Opens June 5

Tuesday September 15: Philanthropic Events

WE CAREaboutthe EN VIR

DOES YOUR UTILITY RATE STRUCTURE STILL MAKE SENSE?

Was Your System Built for a Different Time?

Signal One: Costs are Rising Faster Than Revenue

Signal Two: Complexity Without Clear Rationale

Signal Three: Significant Changes to the Community

A Proactive Approach

AWWA h as a New Infrastructure Report: Beyond the Replacement Era

One Water Solutions Start Here

PUMP AND MOTOR SALES AND SERVICE

SALES

SERVICE

Interview: PLANT-BASED WATER FILTERS COULD TRANSFORM WATER TREATMENT

About the Minnesota Water Research Fund

INFRASTRUCTURE REPLACEMENT, FINANCING REMAIN TOP CHALLENGES FOR WATER INDUSTRY

ONLY ONE COMPANY BRINGS IT

2026 MN AWWA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

DIRECTORY

DIRECTORY

DIRECTORY

DIRECTORY

Minnesota’s Collaborative Advocacy

AT THE 2026 WATER WEEK AND WATER MATTERS DC FLY-IN

WATER AND WASTEWATER ADVOCACY TOPICS

THE MINNESOTA DELEGATION

PARTING THOUGHTS

ABOUT WATER UTILITY COUNCIL AND THE WATERMATTERS DC FLY-IN

Use Paper Responsibly

2026 MN AW WA BUYERS’ GUIDE

CATEGORIES

2026 MN AW WA BUYERS’ GUIDE

LISTINGS

MN AWWA

Advertiser Product & Service Center