2026 Conference Agenda

Tuesday, July 21 – Pre-Operators School Workshops

 

On Site Lagoon Training

9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Presenter: KRWA Staff

Overview: This workshop will meet at the Silver Lake Community Center, 404 E. Lake Street, Silver Lake, KS 66539 in the morning for a brief classroom lagoon discussion and spend most of the morning at the city of Silver Lake wastewater lagoon system for on-site training. Following lunch, the workshop will meet at the Docking Building for classroom discussions. This workshop will cover methods, techniques, and strategies operators can use to get more BOD5 reduction, better TSS removal, how to reduce odors, sludge management and how to get more years of dependable service out of their lagoon systems.


Archimedes Mobile Pump School - Pumps 101

9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Presenter: Jim Grabber

Overview: Specially designed for water pump end-users and operators in the public water supply sector. Expand your knowledge of Pump Types, Pump curves, TDH Calculations & Friction Losses, Materials of Construction, Pump Parts, VFD’s & Controls, Motors & Life Cycle Costs. Develop an understanding of how water well construction and operations can affect water quality & reduce maintenance and compliance issues.

 

Wastewater and Drinking Water Safety Training

9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Presenter: Sara Miller

Overview: Basic safety training for water and wastewater operators presented by Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU).

Wednesday – July 22

General Session

7:30 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. Welcome and Introduction, KDHE Operator Certification Program Update, Certified Operator Operator Database Review
Marc Anderson, KDHE
9:30 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. Apprenticeship Program
Monica Wurtz, KDHE
10:50 a.m.

Internship Program WSU & Fort Scott Awards

Jim Current Award, Joe Cribs
AWOP CPE Participation, KDHE Staff

 

Afternoon Sessions

1 – 4:30 p.m.

 

Small System Wastewater

1 - 2:30 p.m. Lagoon 101
KRWA Staff
2:30 - 2:50 p.m Break
2:50 - 4:00 p.m. Collection System
KRWA Staff
4:00 - 4:30 p.m. KDHE/KEIMS Permit & Compliance
KDHE Staff


Advanced Wastewater

1 - 2:30 p.m. Activated Sludge
Nick Willis, Wichita State University
2:30 - 2:50 p.m. Break
2:50 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. PFAS Biosolids Treatment
Nick Willis, Wichita State University
3:15 - 4:30 p.m. Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR)
Nick Willis, Wichita State University

 

Drinking Water

1 - 2 p.m. KDHE Rule Manager Updates
KDHE Staff
2 - 2:30 p.m. KDHE Rule Manager Updates
KDHE Staff
2:30 - 2:50 p.m. Break
2:50 - 4:30 p.m. Distribution
Mike Schneiders
1 - 4:30 p.m. Drinking Water Exam Prep Class 3 & 4
Sara Miller, KMU

Thursday – July 23

Sessions

 

Small Water System Fundamentals/Exam Prep

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Presenter: Jim Jackson, USG Water

This session covers the fundamentals of small water system operations. The content aligns with KDHE’s Small Water System Training Manual, making it valuable for those preparing for the Drinking Water Small System (DWS) and Class 1 (DW1) certification exams. Key Class 2 (DW2) topics will also be addressed and may be further supplemented by attending the Class 3 & 4 Exam Prep session.

 

Small Systems Wastewater: Pretest Study for Small Systems and Class 1 Lagoons

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Presenter: KRWA Staff and Marsha Fleming, KDHE

Operators planning to take the KDHE wastewater operator certification exam for Small Systems and Class 1 are encouraged to attend. This session is a review for the operator exam. The information will include operator expectations, sample questions, examination concepts, basic math problems and a review of basic operations. Attendance should be helpful to those taking the exam.


Advanced Water and Wastewater

8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
8 - 9 a.m. TBD
9 - 10:30 a.m. Cybersecurity
Erin McGinnis
10:30 a.m. Break
10:50 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Wichita Reuse Project
Wichita Staff and CDM Staff, TBD
12 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 - 3 p.m.

Evergy, AI, and Data Centers
Kimberly and Josh Svaty
3:00 p.m. Break
3:20 - 4:30 p.m. TBD

 

Friday - July 24

Operator Certification Examinations

Water Operator Certification Examinations | 8:30 a.m.
Wastewater Operator Certification Examinations | 8:30 a.m.

 

To Apply for an Examination

The application, registration and fee payment process for an examination is separate from that of the Water & Wastewater Operators School. You cannot register for the examination through Wichita State and will not be permitted to register for the examination on-site.

  • Exam application forms must be submitted separately to:
    Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
    Phone: 785-296-5511
    Website: kdhe.ks.gov/638
    Email: kdhe.operatorcertification@kdheks.gov
  • Application received deadline is July 10, 2026: Application forms
    received by KDHE after July 10 will not be accepted for this examination
    session.
  • Fee is $25 for each exam. Make checks payable to KDHE.
  • Mail completed exam application forms and exam fees to:
    Chris Carter
    Kansas Department of Health and Environment
    1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 420
    Topeka, KS 66612-1367
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