Agenda

The 2026 Michigan Onsite Wastewater Conference will be held in-person at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on January 6-7, 2026.

This two-day educational conference is planned for local health departments, septic tank service providers/pumpers, portable toilet service companies, local public health, engineers, consultants, installation contractors and other interested parties. Learn the latest in onsite wastewater industry trends, regulatory changes, wastewater management options and the latest technologies. Educational sessions will span across two days, and will feature keynote presentations, round-table discussions and breakout sessions offering three concurrent presentations. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to visit the exhibit hall. A detailed draft agenda is included below.

Attendees have the ability to earn Continuing Septage Education (CSE) credit hours by attending the conference. Pending approval by EGLE.

Agenda - Subject to Change

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6TH
8:00 a.m.	Registration - South Lobby				Exhibit Hall opens - Big Ten BC
8:30 a.m.	Welcome & Announcements
9:00 a.m.	Keynote: Promoting Onsite Wastewater to the Public - Dr. Gary Hawkins, University of Georgia Extension - BIG TEN A
10:15 a.m.	Workforce Development in Onsite Wastewater and University Extension Services - Dr. Gary Hawkins, University of Georgia Extension and Bindu Bhakta, MSU Extension - BIG TEN A				Exhibit Hall Open - Big Ten BC
11:15 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.	EXHIBITS OPEN IN BIG TEN BC
12:00-1:00 p.m.	LUNCH IN BIG TEN A
LOCATION	LINCOLN	CENTENNIAL	AUDITORIUM	WILLY	BIG TEN BC
1:00 p.m.	How to Navigate The Michigan Criteria for LHD's Sara Heathman and Jeffrey Ross, Michigan EGLE	General Inspections & MiEHDWIS Jacob Lesniak, Michigan EGLE	SRLP Authorized Contractor Training Anne Mitchell, Michigan EGLE and Nishaat Killeen, Michigan Saves	EGLE One-on-One Sessions	Exhibit Hall Open - Big Ten BC
2:00 p.m.	Groundwater Discharge Permits for Local Health Department Denials Alissa Yanochko and Rachel Burns, Michigan EGLE	Expectations of a Roadside Inspection Dolores Thomas, MTA Safety Center	NSF 350 Wastewater Recycle/Reuse Standards Derek DeLand, NSF
3:00 p.m.	Online Support and Resources for Onsite Wastewater Professionals Laura Schultz, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	Accident Scene Documentation Dolores Thomas, MTA Safety Center	Case Studies - Design & Construction Issues Larry Stephens, Stephens Consulting and Mike Stephens, Guardian Wastewater
4-5:30 p.m.	NETWORKING BREAK IN EXHIBIT HALL - BIG TEN BC (Complimentary drink ticket provided)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7TH
LOCATION	BIG TEN A			WILLY	BIG TEN BC
8:00 a.m.	Round Tables			EGLE One-on-One Sessions	Exhibit Hall Open
10:00 a.m.	NETWORKING BREAK IN EXHIBIT HALL - BIG TEN BC
LOCATION	LINCOLN	CENTENNIAL	AUDITORIUM
10:30 a.m.	Property Access & Rights of Entry Vencent Woods, Michigan DNR	The Myths, Facts, & Common Issues of Septic Pumping Casey Fiedler, Michigan Septic	Professional Engineer’s Roles and Responsibilities for On-Site System Designs Brian Hannon, Moore & Bruggink
11:30 a.m.	EXHIBITS OPEN - BIG TEN BC LUNCH - BIG TEN A
12:30 p.m.	Optimizing Grease Interceptors in Michigan Kevin Sherman, SeptiTech Inc.	Soils Workshop Marisa Faraldo, Jeffrey Ross, Sara Heathman, Anne Mitchell, Michigan EGLE	MI Advanced Molecular Testing for Health Communities Nishita D'Souza, MSU
1:30 p.m.	Operator Training & Certification Alyssa Sarver, Michigan EGLE	Soils Workshop cont.	PFAS in Septage Faith Cullens-Nobis, MSU
2:30 p.m.	BREAK IN EXHIBIT HALL - BIG TEN B & C
3-4 p.m.	Phosphorus Control Techniques & Technologies - The Basics Kevin Sherman, SeptiTech Inc.	Cropping Plans for Septage Application Benjamin Love, Michigan EGLE	Wild up your Septic Drainfield with Native Plants Casey Clement, Health Department of Northwest Michigan and Cheryl Gross, Plant it Wild