Community members attend Wisconsin Rural Water Association industry conference

GREEN BAY – More than 1,400 water professionals from across Wisconsin gathered in Green Bay for the Wisconsin Rural Water Association (WRWA) 2026 Annual Technical Conference on March 24 – 27 at the Resch Expo.

This statewide event brought together water and wastewater operators, municipal leaders, engineers, regulators and industry experts for four days of training, collaboration and innovation focused on protecting Wisconsin’s drinking water and environment.

The WRWA Annual Conference provides continuing education and certification opportunities for water and wastewater professionals, offering more than 20 continuing education credits across multiple disciplines.

Topics addressed during the sessions included:

• Lead service line replacement and regulatory compliance
• PFAS funding and treatment strategies
• Water loss management and infrastructure planning
• Wastewater treatment optimization and emerging technologies
• Groundwater quality and environmental protection

State and federal agencies — including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) and USDA Rural Development — provided key updates impacting municipalities across Wisconsin.

A major highlight of the conference was the exhibit hall, which featured over 230 booths displaying the latest equipment, technologies and services supporting water and wastewater systems.

The conference kicked off with pre-conference workshops on Tuesday, March 24, that covered water and wastewater operations and maintenance.

On Wednesday, March 25, attendees gathered for the opening session featuring WRWA Executive Director Chris Groh, DNR Secretary Karen Hyun, Ph.D. and a keynote presentation by Ed the Diver.

Additional highlights included:

• Water taste test competition that showcased municipal water systems
• K9 Leak Detection demonstration on combining canine detection with utility expertise
• Interactive discussions with regulators and policymakers
• The annual awards banquet celebrating excellence in the industry
  The WRWA Annual Conference plays a vital role in equipping local utilities — many serving small and rural communities — with the knowledge and tools needed to maintain safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater systems.

“Reliable water infrastructure is essential to public health, economic development, and environmental protection,” said WRWA leadership.

“This conference ensures operators and decision-makers have access to the latest information, training and resources to serve their communities effectively.”