November 18th, 2025
Registration and saying hi to old friends: 7:00am – 8:00am
Conference speakers: 8:00am – 4:30pm
Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center
6155 Earle Brown Dr, Brooklyn Center MN
Conference Description
The MGWA Fall Conference, “Groundwater Recharge in a Changing Climate and Emerging Contaminants Beyond PFAS,” will feature presentations on innovative groundwater projects and research from across Minnesota and beyond. This year’s program will explore how climate variability is impacting recharge rates, highlight new tools and data informing recharge modeling, and examine the growing list of contaminants threatening groundwater quality—extending beyond PFAS. Attendees will gain insights into the evolving hydrologic landscape and leave with a deeper understanding of regional efforts to protect and sustain groundwater resources in the face of environmental change.
The conference will be an all day gathering of new friends and old. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are included in the registration fee.
Conference Agenda
Conference Registration – SOLD OUT!
Students – $60
Impacted Employment Professionals – $85. If you have recently been laid off from the workforce we’d love for you to join us.
Retired – $140
Members – $240
Non-members – $325. Non-member price include the 2025 Professional MGWA Membership.
Register before October 18 for $30 off. Use the promo code EARLYBIRD.
Continuing Education
This conference is designed to meet the criteria for continuing education for professionals registered with the MN Board of AELSLAGID and for well contractors as specified by the MN Department of Health.
Contact Information
For information about conference content and logistics, contact:
Rebecca Higgins at president@mgwa.org
MGWA 2025 Fall Conference
Groundwater Recharge in a Changing Climate and Emerging Contaminants Beyond PFAS
November 18, 2025 8am-4:30pm
Presentations
Rebecca Higgins, MGWA President
Rep. Rick Hansen, House District 53B
David Duffey – MPCA
Preliminary Results of a Statewide Survey of Microplastics in Minnesota’s Surface Water, Groundwater and Drinking Water
Presentation Audio
Presentation PDF
Shalene Thomas – Battelle
ITRC Overview of the Contaminants of Emerging Concern Identification Framework
Presentation Audio
Presentation PDF
Bryce Cook – USGS
Advancing the Detection of Microplastics in Groundwater Using LDIR Imaging
Presentation Audio
Presentation PDF
Rebecca Higgins, MGWA President
Eric Bunge, MGWA Vice-President
Elizabeth Kluesner, MGWA Executive Director
MGWA Business and Executive Director Announcement
Presentation Audio
Presentation PDF
William Arnold, U of MN, Twin Cities
Herbicides, Insecticides, and Rubber-Derived Chemicals in Stormwater: A Potential Threat to Groundwater
Vanessa Demuth, Dakota County
Cathy Undem, Dakota County
Dakota County’s Cross-Agency Approach to Emerging Contaminants
Presentation Audio
Presentation PDF
Kerry Keen, Minnesota Department of Health
Groundwater Recharge Intro and Overview – We All Need a Little Recharge Now and Again
Presentation Audio
Presentation PDF
Eric Mohring, MGWA Foundation
MGWAF Update & Fundraiser Announcement
Presentation Audio
Presentation PDF
Kate Bischoff, K8bish
The Difference Between Legal and Ethical
Presentation Audio
Presentation PDF
Crystal Ng, U of MN, Twin Cities
Assessing Future Climate Change Impacts on Groundwater Recharge in Minnesota
Presentation Audio
Presentation PDF
Jared Trost, USGS
Simulations of Past and Future Water Budget Components in Minnesota with the Soil-Water-Balance Model
Presentation Audio
Presentation PDF
Michael Ginsbach, MGWA White Paper Committee
MGWA White Paper Publication
Presentation Audio
Presentation PDF
Maya Gilchrist, MN Department of Health
Shelby Kassuelke, MN Department of Health
MDH’s Drinking Water Ambient Monitoring Program
Presentation Audio
Presentation PDF
Nikol Ross, MN Department of Agriculture
Brennon Schaefer, MN Department of Agriculture
From Nitrate to Pesticides: Tackling Contaminants at the Tap
Presentation Audio
Presentation PDF
Rebecca Higgins, MGWA President
Eric Bunge, MGWA
Closing Remarks
Presentation Audio
Presentation PDF
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