A Preview of Minnesota AWWA's 101st Annual Conference

The Minnesota Section of the American Water Works Association’s 101st Annual Conference is right around the corner and we couldn’t be more thrilled! Following last year’s historic celebration of a century, the annual conference continues Minnesota AWWA’s focus on educating attendees on water quality and treatment, public health, and safety. Water professionals from across Minnesota will gather in Duluth from September 12th-15th for a combination of social and educational events dedicated to preserving and protecting our state’s most vital resource...WATER!


The conference, which takes place over the course of four days, kicks off on Tuesday with a day of fun events hosted by the Minnesota AWWA Philanthropic Committee. The events — sporting clays, a golf tournament, and a fishing tournament — are not only sure to inspire some friendly competition, but also raise funds for the life-changing missions of Water for People and the Water Equation.

The conference convenes at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center overlooking the massive and breathtaking Lake Superior. What better backdrop to discuss water than a view of the largest lake in North America! If you’ve attended the conference in the past, you already know that each day is jam-packed with networking and educational events, including workshops and exhibits. Here’s what you can expect at this year’s conference:

Tuesday, September 12:

• Board meetings
• Philanthropic events

Wednesday, September 13:

• Opening sessions with a welcome by Minnesota AWWA Chair Tony Belden, and AWWA President Brenda Lennox
• Keynote speaker Erik Therwanger
• Vendor exhibitions
• Competitions (including Meter Madness, Hydrant Hysteria, Pipe Tapping, and Best In Glass Water Taste Test)
• Water for People silent auction
• The MAC Social at Grandma’s Sports Garden

Thursday, September 14:

• Concurrent technical sessions and speakers
• Annual business meetings and lunch
• Section election results
• AWWA Appreciation Reception and Dinner
• Awards presentation
• Test your knowledge at the Young Professionals Trivia Tournament at Grizzly’s Restaurant

Friday, September 15:

• Technical sessions
• Panel discussion
• Farewell lunch for attendees

Join us in this opportunity to network and learn from the state’s top water professionals at the 101st Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference. You can register here. Remember to get social with us on Facebook and Twitter, and share your conference experiences with us.

Are You Drinking Enough Water?

At least 60 percent of your body is made up of water. It’s important to drink as much as water as you can to help replenish your body every day. Sadly, water is only the second-most popular beverage in the United States–after soft drinks. That’s a scary realization, since overindulging on sugary soda drinks is an enormous health hazard.

When you’re not drinking enough water, your body will give you warning signs that something isn’t right. Here are a few other warning signs:

You Can Feel it in Your Bones

Just as a car needs oil to run properly, your body needs water to do well. If you don’t have enough water in your body, your joints will begin to break down and you could injure yourself while doing normal activities. According to an article by Lifehack.org, the cartilage that protects our joints is made up of 80% water. This means if you’re not getting enough water, you can risk injury while running or jumping or even when performing daily activities or making sudden movements.

You Don’t Recover Well From Illness

Your grandmother always told you to drink more fluids to help you recover from an illness; she was right. Your body requires a minimum amount of water each day to function at a normal level and get the toxins out of your system. These amounts vary depending on your body type, activity levels, and several other factors, but illnesses will dehydrate you faster than normal - especially if you are vomiting, have diarrhea, or have a fever. When you get sick, increase your water intake even more. Even things like soup, fruit juices, and gelatin help with your fluid intake.

You Feel Sleepy

Fatigue is one of the first signs you’ll encounter from being dehydrated. If a lack of fluids turns into full-blown dehydration, it can cause an imbalance in your sodium, potassium and electrolytes, therefore, making you sleepy and lethargic.

You Get Hungry Out Of Nowhere

When you don’t drink enough water, your body receives mixed signals on hunger. According to an article on Spright.com, “Your hypothalamus, the portion of your brain responsible for controlling feelings of hunger and thirst, responds similarly whether you’re thirsty or you haven’t had enough to eat.” Dehydration causes you to believe you need to eat when you actually need more liquid in your system.

You Don’t Age Well

Water acts as a natural (and much cheaper) facelift as it flushes out the toxins in your body. Hydrating yourself on the inside will result in a dewy and fresh-looking skin on the outside. If you’re dehydrated, things will start to look dry, cracked and unhealthy.


Water is very important to your overall health. Becoming dehydrated too often can do plenty of damage to your body, and as you’ve probably heard, if you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables that are high in water content is also a good way to stay hydrated. Staying full for the entire day is just as important as staying hydrated.

For more information on hydration, visit the Minnesota Chapter of the American Water Works Association.

The Effect of Clean Water on the Economy

Water pollution, chemical spills, and algae blooms can wreak havoc on a community, not only by affecting the water supply and animal populations but also through many seemingly unrelated industries that tend to suffer with “dirty” water.

Keeping our water clean through regulations like the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act directly bolster the local economy by providing safe water for food & beverage production, fishing, shipping, tourism, and real estate. Even indirectly, clean water supports the Minnesota communities in which we live, work, and keep our companies profitable.

As Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner, John Linc Stine, explains, "We all want clean water. We all recognize the value it brings to Minnesota: both in terms of tangible economic benefits such as increased property values and a robust tourism industry, and intangible benefits that enrich our lives as Minnesotans. We must work together to find creative, cost-effective solutions to paying for it. We can achieve water quality when we all do our fair share.”

Most obviously, clean water makes for great Minnesota activities and is key to tourism. From the North Shore to Minnehaha Falls and everything in between, out-of-towners and local folks alike expect sparkling water and clear shorelines. Tourism in Minnesota is a $14 billion industry, with much of it centered around the waters that give our state its name—the land of “sky-tinted waters.”

Our clean water provides us with a healthy fishing industry and makes shipping on Lake Superior possible. The real estate industry, particularly when it comes to lakeshore properties, relies on unpolluted waters and healthy ecosystems to keep up property values.

Additionally, food & beverage industries need good quality water for production. The beer industry has become more vocal in standing up for clean water, because, “You can’t make great beer without clean water.” Put simply, “Clean water is essential to more than a great-tasting pint—it’s also critical for our health and our economy at large.”

In fact, the majority of small businesses put a high value on preserving water quality over cutting corners at the potential detriment to clean water. In this poll by the American Sustainable Business Council, 71% of small business owners agree that clean water is necessary for jobs and a healthy economy, an opinion that was held across party lines.


So let’s celebrate our beautiful waters and be diligent about keeping ecosystems and water supplies healthy. It’s just good business.

Learn more at mnawwa.org

Must-See Waterfalls in Minnesota

We appreciate the importance of water in every aspect of our lives. Water has the power to carve out valleys, move mountains, sustain life, and elicit awe. The natural wonders created by water can be appreciated right here in Minnesota. Here are some must-see waterfalls that will surely impress. Plan to visit one (or all of them) this summer with your family!

Minnehaha Falls

Arguably the most famous waterfall in Minnesota, Minnehaha Falls is a peaceful site amidst the urban landscape of Minneapolis. Visitors can bike and walk along the expansive park and get a close-up look at the gushing water. There's even an on-site restaurant to make a day of it. For a fun winter expedition, check out the beautiful colors the ice creates when the falls are frozen!

Minneopa Falls

If you are in the Southern part of the state, the most beautiful waterfall to visit is Minneopa Falls in Mankato. Minneopa State Park includes the 40-foot fall, as well as a smaller, scenic waterfall dropping just up river. Find the perfect angle to capture both falls in one epic viewing. All this set in gorgeous scenery and rocky bluffs make this a great escape.

High Falls of the Pigeon River

Located in the northeast corner of the state where Minnesota borders Canada, High Falls on Pigeon River is the tallest waterfall in the state at 120 feet. The falls thunder down a rocky cliff and flow into Lake Superior. A 1-mile hike from the nearest parking lot will allow you to visit this recluse and the natural landscape is sure to take your breath away.

Gooseberry Falls

The epitome of the north shore experience, Gooseberry Falls is just beyond Duluth in Two Harbors, MN. With 5 sets of falls through a rocky river gorge, the Gooseberry River flows out to an agate beach and into the largest lake in the world–Lake Superior. While the main falls are just a quick walk from the visitor’s entrance, there are a few others that can make for a fun hike in the nearby pine forests and rocky cliffs in this adventurous landscape.

The Cascades

Cascade River State Park is also along Lake Superior, making this the third must-see waterfall on the northern shore of Minnesota. The Cascades are a series of smaller waterfalls bumbling down a rocky slope. There are many to see; enough for an entire day of marveling as you hike.


With so many beautiful waterfalls along Lake Superior, a drive to the north shore of Minnesota would make a wondrous summer vacation. But if you would like to see some awe-inspiring waterfalls closer to you, consider Minneopa and Minnehaha Falls as excellent choices, too. It is important we all take the time to appreciate the powerful qualities of life-giving water we take for granted in this world!

You can find more information about Minnesota water on the Minnesota AWWA website.

Four Water Organizations That You Should Know About

Water is vital to the existence of every community, but millions of people across the world don’t have regular access to sanitized water. Water organizations around the world develop educational opportunities to help developing countries. Initiatives include understanding water sanitation and hygiene, addressing health concerns and issues related to unsanitary water, raising funds to support sustainable water technologies, and providing immediate access to drinkable water.

Water for People

Developed in 1991, Water for People was created out of the American Water Works Association. This non-profit organization serves in Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Malawi, Nicaragua, Perú, Rwanda, and Uganda. It aims to improve the quality of life in these communities by supporting the development and accessibility of high-quality drinking water and sanitation services. Water for People also encourages partner countries to invest in sustainability so that everyone can have a hand in reliable access to water and sanitation for years to come.

Pure Water for the World

Pure Water for the World serves communities in Central America and the Caribbean. This non-profit organization is committed to ending illnesses caused by unsanitary water sources by providing education about preventable waterborne diseases and managing sustainable and sanitary water systems. By providing educational workshops on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), the Pure Water for the World team works with local community programs in order to develop customized solutions to a community’s water problems.

Charity: Water

According to Charity: Water, nearly 663 million people drink from contaminated water sources. Based in New York but operating in over 20 countries, Charity: Water raises funds to develop water technologies for developing countries. These water technologies range from hand-dug and drilled wells, rainwater catchments, gravity-fed systems, water purification systems, and latrines.

Through the Pipeline initiative, Charity: Water helps communities to maintain water technologies long after they are installed by providing funds to train and equip local mechanics to repair systems in need, develop innovative technologies, and educate the community on clean water sustainability.

Drop in the Bucket

Drop in the Bucket’s mission is to grant clean water access to children seeking an education. One of the ways Drop in the Bucket confronts the issue of clean water is by drilling wells at schools in sub-Saharan Africa. The presence of wells on a school campus grants greater accessibility to clean water and sanitation systems to students.

Because young girls are often tasked with the chore of fetching a family’s supply of water, having wells at school improves the chances that more girls can attend and graduate school rather than spending the majority of their day traveling to get water.

Getting Involved in Minnesota

If you are wondering how you can get involved, the Minnesota Section of the American Water Works Association will be sponsoring the annual Water for People Benefit Concert on April 29th at Bogart’s in Apple Valley. Featuring musical guest Big Bob and the High Rollers, the proceeds of the Water for People Benefit Concert will support the initiatives of Water for People. For more details, visit the Water for People Benefit Concert web page.


When you help support water charities with your time or money, we can come together to address the issue of clean drinking water. See what you can do to contribute to water education in your local community, and become a member of the American Water Works Association. Learn more at www.mnawwa.org.

The Benefits of Becoming a Minnesota AWWA Member

If you are looking to make a positive impact in your community, consider becoming a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The goals of the American Water Works Association are to promote public health, safety, and welfare with the effort of the entire water community. This is done through the dispersal of educational resources disseminated through the network of water professionals who include water quality specialists, operators, engineers, safety regulators, and managers. The American Water Works Association has over 50,000 members worldwide.

AWWA Member Benefits

By becoming a Minnesota AWWA member, you can enjoy special benefits. Among these include access to special member rates for workshops, national conferences, webinars, and publications. Members can also gain access to technical resources and training opportunities.

With the ability to connect with water professionals across the world, scientists and advocates of safe and clean water treatments can speak on how we can better serve our communities. From policy and legislature to implementation, see how your membership with the American Water Works Association could positively impact your community.

The best thing about being an AWWA member is the people. The people in the water industry are some of the best I have ever met from any other industry. They’re real, hard-working, inclusive people who want the best for their communities and customers. You can’t find that many other places.

– Minnesota AWWA member, Kara Fritze

Being an AWWA member allows me to feel connected to the water community on a large scale. I enjoy attending AWWA events to meet new people and learn what topics people in the industry are focused on.

– Minnesota AWWA member, Allison Wheeler

When you begin the American Water Works Association membership process, you have the option of becoming an individual, utility, or service provider member. This means your membership will be catered to your interests, skills, and the needs that you can provide to your community.

 

To learn about more experiences of real members, take a moment to watch the videos of American Water Works Association members from across the country.

Whether you have a burgeoning career in the water industry or are a veteran, these opportunities to learn and network with other water professionals are priceless. Everyone from business managers to field workers to students can benefit from these connections. Don’t miss out on these opportunities to become involved in local water issues and grow your leadership skills! Fill out this form, and become a member today. To stay on top of the latest news and events of the American Water Works Association, visit the Minnesota American Water Works Association today.

The Best Smartphone Apps for Conserving Water

We are well into 2017 and the high water (use) season is right around the corner. What can you do to keep a little money in your pocket? To get started, think about all the ways that you can conserve water and not let your hard earned money flow down the drain. In fact, with all the available phone apps out there, let your phone do all the work of conserving water! Take a look below at the best apps for conserving water.

Dropcountr

This app takes a look at your entire individual water usage either hourly, daily, or monthly, allowing you to more deeply understand how your resources are being used in comparison to homes near you. Dropcountr even sends you personalized tips on how to conserve money as well as water by sending you rebates. The greatest benefit of this free app is that it connects water utility services directly to the consumer!

Water Timer

This interactive app helps to cut down on those long leisurely winter showers. Water Timer calculates the water and money that you could save from shortening your showers.This app is only available on iOS devices.

Water1der

If you are looking to teach water conservation to kids and teens, the Water1der app is an excellent choice. This app includes easy-to-read information and games that range from word scramble to multiple choice to true or false questions. The content of the games covers everything from the water cycle and water usage to water pollution and conversation. This app is only available on iOS devices.

Rain Harvest

If you are looking to begin harvesting your own water, look to Rain Harvest. This app estimates how much rainwater you could potentially collect from a rain storm. This is done by formulating rainfall, efficiency, and the total area that could catch rainwater.

Apps allow us to do everything from keeping track of our fitness to streaming music to finding shops and restaurants while on the go. In addition to these water conservation apps, you can find apps on landscaping and irrigation tracking, water fountain locaters, water leak calculators, and more! Find the perfect app to help your household conserve water.

For more information on water conservation, visit the American Water Works Association of Minnesota.