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A Message from WLWCA President Lance Petrasek

Dear WLWCA Membership,

I hope this letter finds you all enjoying a busy summer.   Many days, I find myself asking my wife what day it is.  People say it’s good to be busy, and I can’t disagree. But it does tend to wear you down.  Soon, fall will be here, and those cooler working days will be invigorating. 

The association has been working on a couple of fronts.  First, we are finalizing our winter conference agenda. We will be with WOWRA again this year, but they have made no commitments beyond this year. The agenda is mainly set as we finalize speakers. We still have a few areas open, so if you have an idea, please let a board member know. Second, we are waiting for DSPS to finalize the POWTS advisory committee so we can begin the process of looking at the maintainer license.  (SPS 305.36)  I know this is a concern for many of you, and I will say again, this is a process, and we are working as fast as we can. Third, the DNR has asked us to teach classes on topics that have been regularly showing up in field audits. We will address some of these at the winter conference, as well as in the classes we teach around the state. 

Speaking of classes, John and Rick will be having a DNR Septic Operator Test Prep class in Merrill. This class offers 3 DNR compliance credits. Register using the link in the newsletter or visit the WLWCA website for more details. For now, that is all I have.

Thanks,

Lance


Legislative Update from WLWCA Lobbyist George Klaetsch

Legislative Update – 2026 Governor’s Race Takes Shape

As we enter the September/October sprint to General Election Day, the State Democratic Primary for Governor reminded us that anything can happen in a Wisconsin election. Let’s look back before looking forward.

Throughout July, pre-election polling strongly favored the progressive candidate for Wisconsin Governor, Francesca Hong. From the beginning of the year to two weeks prior to the August 11 primary, Francesca Hong had a considerable lead. In July, David Crowley suspended his campaign and dropped out, only to reenter three weeks later. And yet somehow Crowley overcame a 31% deficit to pull out the victory by 3,200 votes out of 787,000 votes cast.

Crowley will now face Northern Wisconsin Congressman Tom Tiffany, who easily won the Republican nomination for Governor, facing only token opposition.

Quick Candidate Background – David Crowley

Crowley was elected Milwaukee County executive in 2020. He previously represented the 17th District in the Wisconsin Assembly from 2017 to 2020 and worked as an organizer and political staffer before entering elected office.

Quick Candidate Background – Tom Tiffany

Tiffany was first elected to represent Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House in 2020. He previously served in the Wisconsin Senate from 2013 to 2020, the Wisconsin Assembly from 2011 to 2013, and the Little Rice Board of Supervisors from 2009 to 2013. He is also the former owner and operator of Wilderness Cruises.

Looking Forward

With Crowley, Democrats now have their favored candidate, but he's not without vulnerability. Democratic candidates from Milwaukee have historically struggled to win support from suburban and out-state voters.  He has also had to defend vulnerabilities in his campaign. For example, Crowley has been under fire last year for allowing Milwaukee County's employee health insurance plan to lapse, resulting in the firing of the County's human resources manager.

Tiffany has run a solid campaign so far and will likely benefit from tens of millions of dollars of advertising spent on his behalf.  But he, too, is not without vulnerability.  He's from the state's most rural district and started with few relationships and low name ID in the most populous part of the state, SE Wisconsin.  He has tied himself closely to President Trump and the MAGA movement since his 2020 election to Congress, both of which have approval ratings at historic lows.

Finally, it's still Wisconsin.  We are perhaps the most evenly divided state in the nation.  Trump, Biden, and then Trump again won by less than 0.5%.  Recent polling shows Crowley leading Tiffany by only 3-4% despite current Democratic advantages.

Join Us Next Month for the
DNR Septic Operator Exam Prep Class!

Join WLWCA on Thursday, October 29, 2026, for a focused training session designed to help operators prepare for the Wisconsin DNR Septic Operator Test. Whether you're planning to take the exam soon or simply want to strengthen your knowledge, this class is a valuable opportunity to sharpen your skills and learn from industry professionals. With the class date quickly approaching, you're encouraged to register now before it's too late!

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: T.B. Scott Free Library Community Room

106 W. 1st Street, Merrill, WI 54452

Cost: Members $90 | Non-Members $110

Topics will focus on key areas covered by the DNR exam, helping participants identify strengths, address knowledge gaps, and gain confidence before testing.

With this class being just a week away, if you haven't signed up yet, you are encouraged to do so before it's too late. Whether you're a new operator or looking for a refresher, this session can help you prepare for success!

We look forward to seeing you in Merrill on October 29th!
Register Now

Submit Your Presentation Proposal and Save the Date for the 2027 WLWCA Winter Conference!

Share Your Knowledge. Advance Industry Education.

The Wisconsin Liquid Waste Carriers Association (WLWCA) is now accepting presentation proposals for the 2027 WLWCA Winter Conference, taking place February 3–5, 2027, at the Wilderness Resort & Glacier Canyon Lodge in Wisconsin Dells.

Each year, the conference brings together professionals from the septic, wastewater, pumping, portable sanitation, and related industries across Wisconsin and neighboring states for education, networking, regulatory updates, and practical learning opportunities.

We invite industry professionals, regulators, educators, and subject matter experts to share their knowledge and expertise by presenting at this premier industry event.

Conference Details

Dates: February 3–5, 2027
Location: Wilderness Resort & Glacier Canyon Lodge
Wisconsin Dells
Expected Attendance: 175-250 industry professionals
Exhibitors & Sponsors: 25-40 companies and organizations

Suggested Topics of Interest

WLWCA welcomes presentation proposals covering a wide range of industry topics, including:

  • Regulatory and compliance updates
  • DNR compliance requirements and reporting
  • Septic system operations and maintenance
  • Wastewater treatment developments
  • Safety and OSHA topics
  • DOT updates
  • Equipment innovations
  • Portable sanitation best practices
  • Business operations and workforce development
  • Emerging technologies
  • Environmental trends and challenges

Don't see your topic listed? We welcome additional ideas that provide practical, educational value for attendees and remain non-commercial in nature.

Presentation Formats

  • Educational sessions (typically 45–60 minutes)
  • Panel discussions
  • Live Demonstrations

Why Submit?

Presenting at the WLWCA Winter Conference is an opportunity to:

  • Share your expertise with industry professionals
  • Contribute to continuing education opportunities
  • Help address current industry challenges and trends
  • Support the growth and success of Wisconsin's liquid waste industry

To help WLWCA secure DNR continuing education credits, submit all proposals through the official Request for Proposals form.

We encourage both returning and first-time presenters to submit proposals and help shape a strong educational program for the 2027 conference.

To be considered, submit proposals via the online proposal form button linked below:
Submit Your Proposal to Present at the 2027 WLWCA Winter Conference

Thank You to Our Members!

The Board of Directors sincerely thanks everyone who completed the annual WLWCA Member Survey! Your feedback helps us understand your needs and identify ways WLWCA can better serve you. Your input will also help shape topics for education sessions at the 2027 Winter Conference.

Thank you for being a valuable part of WLWCA! 

Thank You to Our Advertisers!

Follow Us on Social Media!

WLWCA is now on social media! If you haven't already, follow us on all our social media platforms to stay up to date on all things WLWCA!

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Wisconsin Liquid Waste Carriers Association
1818 Milton Ave, Ste 100, #1060 Janesville, WI, 53545