MWQA Annual Convention

Everything You Need To Know About Our Annual Event!

The 2021 Annual Convention is scheduled for October 19-20 at the Holiday Inn in Lakeville, Minnesota. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at our in-person event this fall! Watch your mail, email, and this website for updates.

Convention Schedule

COVID Safeguards will be in place at our event. Although there is no longer a mask requirement for indoor gatherings in Minnesota, speakers participating from the State of Minnesota require that all attendees wear a mask during their presentations. Please bring your own mask if you prefer. We will provide masks on site, as well as hand sanitizer. The hotel is taking recommended CDC precautions for seating arrangements and food service.

All classes have been submitted for credit from the State of Minnesota. Some qualify for Wisconsin license credit.

Check out our complete schedule, along with registration forms for attendees, sponsors and vendors, or download the forms here (opens in separate page for printing).

2021-Convention-Registration

Tuesday, October 19

7:30 a.m. Check-in for convention registrants; pick up packets

8 – 9 a.m. MWQA Annual Meeting for MWQA members only. Legislative update, Board elections. Hear from Dave Schulenberg of the Minnesota Well Water Association.

9 – 10 a.m. “Chloride Discharge In Minnesota” Presented by Brooke Asleson, MPCA (1 Technical/Other Credit toward Minnesota WC & Plumbing licenses; no Wisc. credit; .1 WQA credit)

10 – 11 a.m. “PFA Contaminants & Drinking Water” Presented by Peter Cartwright, P.E. (Credit approval pending from Minnesota; 1 Credit toward Wisconsin MPRS, MPRA, MP, JPRA, JPRS, JP licenses; .1 WQA credit)

11 a.m. Vendor Fair Opens for Midday Exhibit

11:45 a.m. Lunch & Break

1 p.m. – 2 p.m. “Pipe Sizing & Pressure Loss Considerations Using the New 2020 Minnesota Plumbing Code” Presented by Randy Lorge of IAPMO ((1 Code Credit toward Minnesota WC & Plumbing licenses; no Wisc. credit; .1 WQA credit)

2 – 3 p.m. “Why Iron Filters Fail & How to Ensure They Never Will” presented by Phil Olsen of Water Think Tank (1 Code Credit toward Minnesota WC & Plumbing licenses; 1 Credit toward Wisconsin MPRS, MPRA, MP, JPRA, JPRS, JP licenses; .1 WQA credit)

3 – 4 p.m. “Plan Review Guidance For Public Water Supplies” presented by Anita Anderson of the Minnesota Department of Health (1 Technical/Other Credit toward Minnesota WC & Plumbing licenses; no Wisc. credit; .1 WQA credit)

4 – 6 p.m. Vendor Fair

Reception with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails.

Wednesday, October 20

7:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast – included with your registration

8 a.m. – 10 a.m. “Cross Connection Control & Backflow Prevention” presented by Rich Davison of Soderholm Associates (2 Credits toward Wisconsin MPRS, MPRA, MP, JPRA, JPRS, JP and Cross Connection Tester licenses; 2 Code Credits toward Minnesota WC and Plumbing licenses; .2 WQA credit)

10 a.m. – noon “Minnesota Plumbing Code Update” Presented by Thomas Eisert, Minn. DOLI (2 Code Credits toward Minnesota WC and Plumbing licenses; no Wisc. credit; .2 WQA credit)

To reserve a room at the Holiday Inn within the MWQA’s room block, contact the hotel at 952-469-1134 and mention the Minnesota Water Quality Association room block. You can also book online at www.hilakeville.com and use the block code MWQ (Note: NOT MWQA).

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PLUMBING & WATER CONDITIONING

From the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry

Master and journeyworker plumbers must complete 16 hours of approved continuing education (CE) in each two-year license period. At least eight hours must pertain to the State Plumbing Code and the remaining eight hours must pertain to Plumbing Code, technical topics related to plumbing installations and equipment, the Minnesota State Building Code or the Minnesota Statutes governing plumbing work. Hours can be obtained through online classes.
Unlicensed plumber registrations: Two hours of approved continuing education credit are required by June 30 annually. The hours need to be earned before the registration’s expiration date and the registration renewal fee must be received before the registration expiration date. Credits totaling more than the minimum two hours cannot be carried over into subsequent registration periods. Hours can be obtained through online classes.
Water conditioning masters and journeyworker licensees must take four hours of approved continuing education during each license period. At least two hours must pertain to technical topics related to water conditioning installation and servicing, or the Minnesota statutes and rules relating to water conditioning. THIS MEANS YOU CAN TAKE 2 CODE AND 2 TECHNICAL CREDITS, OR 4 CODE TOTAL.
Medical gas certificate holders must take four hours of approved continuing education each license period beginning with their initial renewal. All four hours must pertain to the technical topics related to the installation, repair, or maintenance of medical gas systems, NFPA 99, or the Minnesota laws and rules relating to medical gas systems.
Backflow prevention testers and rebuilders are not required to take CE courses (other than plumber CE if the individual holds a plumber license) but must have a current ASSE tester 5110 and/or repairer 5130 certification.

Those who have more than one type of license can apply their CE courses to all of their licenses — only the hours required for the license with the highest CE requirement must be fulfilled.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (PER LICENSE CYCLE):

License	Code/Laws	Other Related or Code
Master Plumber	8	8
Restricted Master Plumber	8	8
Journeyworker Plumber	8	8
Restricted Journeyworker Plumber	8	8
Unlicensed Plumber (PA)	2	0
Water Conditioning Master	2	2
Water Conditioning Journeyworker	2	2
Unlicensed Water Conditioning	1	1