Kristen Godfrey Walters

The meeting included discussions on 12-inch PVC adaptor couplings, status updates on the Minnesota Drinking Water Action Plan, and information regarding SE MN Nitrate Response phases and private well testing data. Legislative and rulemaking updates were provided, including information on the Submerged Closed Loop Heat Exchanger rulemaking and eLicensing launch timelines. The council received an educational presentation on GPS/GIS and the County Well Index, discussed approaches for ensuring aquifer protection in rulemaking, and provided advice on improving licensing study materials and exam questions. The session concluded with a discussion on the product and material review process.

The council discussed threaded PVC pitless adaptors and the need to revisit the associated rules. Updates were provided on Water Policy and Clean Water Fund activities, including nitrate response efforts, water treatment cost-benefit analyses, and private well user surveys. The council received a demonstration of the new MDH licensing system and a presentation on arsenic in groundwater. Additional discussions covered geologic atlas status updates, modernization of the County Well Index, and the upcoming delegation for DLI-MDH water service line plan reviews. Industry topics including data center water usage and small water supply systems were also identified for future consideration.

The council received an educational presentation from the Minnesota Geological Survey regarding guidance for differentiating geological formations and discussed updates on water policy, clean water funding, and rulemaking, including the Submerged Closed Loop Heat Exchanger project. Management reported on licensing system upgrades, fee structures, and legislative activities. The council provided input on the unsealing of sealed wells, recommending against the practice, and participated in an open forum discussing industrial code compliance for couplings and secure access to public water supply records.

The meeting focused on the structure and purpose of the advisory group, including member roles and communication strategies. Key updates were provided regarding USDA payment suspensions and their impact on WIC funding. Other discussion topics included the pilot project for mobile group text messaging, potential scholarship opportunities for local agency staff to attend national conferences, and local agency involvement in the development of the participant portal. Additionally, the group discussed the scheduling of Everyday Hero Awards, decisions on printing shopping guides, the implementation of a new annual budget reporting process for local agencies, the appointment of additional voting members to the NWA, and survey results related to the recent federal government shutdown and its impact on WIC operations.

The advisory group discussed the Everyday Hero award nomination process and timeline for local agencies. A proposal for conference scholarships was reviewed, with the outcome that the WIC program will cover registration fees for regional award winners to attend conferences. The group also analyzed the usage data and reach of multilingual shopping videos. Additionally, an inquiry regarding the status of the annual budget proposal was addressed, with an update provided on the ongoing development of a budget template by a state work group.