StormCon was the first and is currently the longest running national event focus on the stormwater sector. From it's early days run by a small group that helped to showcase national-level information on stormwater. Every year since 2002, StormCon has brought together stormwater and surface water quality professionals from all over the world who are seeking the most up-to-date industry news, breakthroughs in water technology, and the best products and services available in the water sector.
Starting in 2023, NMSA has held a significant role at StormCon events. In short, NMSA provides a national-level dimension to the show as we host a full day of sessions focusing on national-level issues including legal, policy and regulatory issues, applied research, national-level initiatives, and there has been opportunities provided by NMSA to facilitate access to and dialogue with EPA stormwater staff through townhall sessions. We also host our annual public meeting during the conference, which is free and open to all StormCon attendees and broadcast as a live webinar as well. Lastly, NMSA hosts listening sessions on various topics of significance in the stormwater sector, which are opportunities for any/all attendees to provide input supporting national-level initiatives and efforts.
StormCon 2026 | Minneapolis, MN | August 25-27, 2026
To register, go to: https://www.stormcon.com/2026/pricing
WHY MINNEAPOLIS?
Minneapolis is one of the most water-focused regions in the country, making it an ideal location for a stormwater conference. With thousands of lakes, the Mississippi River, and a long history of tackling flooding, water quality, and urban runoff, the city offers real-world examples of the challenges our industry faces.
It’s also home to leading watershed districts, innovative green infrastructure projects, and nationally recognized engineering and research teams, making it an ideal place to learn, tour, and connect.
Easy to reach, walkable, and built for conferences, Minneapolis brings together the technical relevance and convenience StormCon attendees value.
WHY ATTEND?
StormCon 2026 delivers actionable stormwater education, advanced MS4 compliance insights, and hands-on best practices needed to face today’s stormwater infrastructure and climate challenges. Whether you manage municipal stormwater programs, design green infrastructure, work in erosion control, or maintain drainage systems, StormCon is your gateway to the tools, training, and connections that matter.
Built for professionals in:
• Stormwater management
• Municipal engineering
• Erosion & sediment control
• Industrial stormwater compliance
• Flood risk mitigation
• Green infrastructure design
• Transportation & construction stormwater
• Stormwater policy & regulation
Activities led by NMSA at StormCon 2026 | August 25-27, 2026
Tues, Aug 25: Annual Public Meeting
Event Time/Duration: 1:00-2:30pm (Central)
Event Location: M100 A
Event Details: This is NMSA’s annual public meeting, which is open to all StormCon attendees. This will be held as a free and open webinar by NMSA. During this event, NMSA staff and leadership will provide information on the status of NMSA, activities led by the organization in the last year, and anticipated areas of focus in 2026 and beyond. Information will be shared on the status and future activities in NMSA projects, programs and initiatives, such as the STEPP program, the National Stormwater Leadership Coalition, and the annual National Stormwater Policy Forum. Feedback will be provided on engagement with EPA as well as Capitol Hill on stormwater issues and programs. Information on the Cold-Climate Center of Excellence will be shared as well as findings from the 2024 WEF MS4 Needs Assessment Survey.
A NMSA state organization is typically featured to showcase the activities of NMSA members. This year the host state of Minnesota will be featured through input provided by leadership of the Minnesota Cities Stormwater Coalition.
Webinar Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/233658772654687579
Meeting Agenda
I. Webinar Introduction and NMSA Year in Review (Seth Brown, NMSA, 20 mins – 1:00-1:200pm)
II. National Programs and Initiatives (Jamie Houle, Univ of New Hampshire, 20 mins – 1:20-1:40pm)
III. National Stormwater Leadership Coalition (Gary Belan, American Rivers, 20 mins – 1:40-2:00pm)
IV. State Snapshot – Minnesota (John Paulson, Minnesota Cities Stormwater Coalition, 20 mins – 2:00-2:20pm)
V. Q&A / Open Discussion (All - 10 mins – 2:20-2:30pm)
Wed, Aug 26: NMSA Technical Sessions
Session Title: Implementation of the Stormwater Testing and Evaluation for Products and Practices (STEPP) Program
Session Time/Duration: 10:15-10:55am (Central)
Session Location: M100 H-I
Session Summary: This session will provide information on the launch and evolution of the NMSA’s Stormwater Testing and Evaluation for Products and Practices (STEPP) program. The session will also include details regarding the testing standards being developed via ASTM to support STEPP as well as recent program updates. Ongoing and future activities and milestones will be presented on STEPP as well as ways for communities, regulators and companies to get involved.
Speaker Names, Contact Information and Affiliations:
• Facilitator/Speaker: Seth Brown, PE, PhD, Director, STEPP Center of Excellence, Executive Director, National Municipal Stormwater Alliance
• Speaker: Jay Holtz, PE, President, Stormwater Equipment Manufacturers Association (SWEMA), Technical Director, Oldcastle Infrastructure, Stormwater Group
• Speaker: Mike Trojan, Hydrologist (retired), Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, STEPP Technical Lead
Session Title: National Legal and Stormwater Policy
Session Time/Duration: 11:05-11:45am (Central)
Session Location: M100 H-I
Session Summary: This has been an active year in stormwater policy. From the WOTUS rulemaking to the Executive Order on affordable housing that targets regulatory requirements, including construction and post-construction stormwater requirements – there is a lot to cover. This session will address these and other issues that have national impacts on the legal and policy landscape in the stormwater sector.
Speaker Names, Contact Information and Affiliations:
• Facilitator/Speaker: Seth Brown, PE, PhD, Director, STEPP Center of Excellence, Executive Director, National Municipal Stormwater Alliance
• Speaker: Gary Belan, Director, Clean Water Program, American Rivers
• Speaker: Ryan Baron, Partner, Best, Best and Krieger, LLP
Session Title: Applied Research for MS4s
Session Time/Duration: 1:00-1:40pm (Central)
Session Location: M100 H-I
Session Summary: This session will showcase research efforts tailored specifically for municipalities, including guidance, new tools, new designs for stormwater treatment practices, and more. The focus will be on shovel ready solutions that cover a range of stormwater issues, including adapting stormwater infrastructure to extreme precipitation; removing nutrients, sediment, and contaminants of emerging concern; and how to deal with chloride from road salt. In addition, municipal program leaders will share their experiences working with research institutions, the benefits they receive from research, and how they implement research results into practice
Speaker Names, Contact Information and Affiliations:
• Facilitator/Speaker: Andy Erickson, PE, PhD, University of Minnesota, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, Research Manager
• Speaker: Ross Bintner, Engineering Services Manager, City of Edina, MN
• Speaker: Ryan Johnson, Environmental Manager, Engineering Div., City of Roseville, MN
Session Title: Cold Climate Stormwater Center of Excellence Updates and Overview
Session Time/Duration: 1:50-2:30pm (Central)
Session Location: M100 H-I
Session Summary: This session will provide an overview of activities and initiatives led by the Cold Climate Stormwater Center of Excellence (CCSCoE) along with an update on the status of specific events, outputs and products from the Center.
Speaker Names, Contact Information and Affiliations:
• Facilitator: Seth Brown, PE, PhD, Director, STEPP Center of Excellence, Executive Director, National Municipal Stormwater Alliance
• Speaker: Jamie Houle, PhD, Director, University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center, Research Assistant Professor, University of New Hampshire, NMSA Vice Chair.
• Speaker: Andy Erickson, PE, PhD, University of Minnesota, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, Research Manager
Thur, Aug 27: Sessions for NMSA Track at StormCon
Meeting Title: Cold Climate Stormwater Center of Excellence MS4 Program Research Needs Listening Session
Session Time/Duration: 8:30-10:00am (Central)
Session Location: M100 A
Session Details: The purpose of this session is for the Cold Climate Stormwater Center of Excellence (CCSCoE) to share details on research focus areas and to provide an opportunity for MS4s and stormwater program staff to give input on research needs at the local level. This input is critical in helping the CCSCoE to meet its mission to provide research support on areas of need in stormwater programs.
Session Leaders:
• Speaker: John Bilotta, University of Minnesota Water Resources Center, Senior Research and Extension Coordinator
• Speaker: Elizabeth Stout, Principal Professional Engineer, Surface Water & Sewers, City of Minneapolis, Chair, Minnesota Cities Stormwater Coalition
• Speaker: Jamie Houle, PhD, Director, University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center, Research Assistant Professor, University of New Hampshire, NMSA Vice Chair.
• Speaker: Andy Erickson, PE, PhD, University of Minnesota, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, Research Manager
Meeting Title: Clean Streets = Cleaner Waters Initiative – Street Sweeping and Stormwater Research and Regulatory Feedback Session
Session Time/Duration: 10:30am-12pm (Central)
Session Location: M100 A
Session Details: This is a session that will provide information on the Clean Streets, Cleaner Waters Initiatives as well as to feature leading researchers and practitioners who are focused on street sweeping as a stormwater BMP. This session will seek input on this initiative to provide information on how to overcome barriers and challenges to mainstreaming street sweeping as a stormwater BMP.
Session Leaders:
• Facilitator: Seth Brown, PE, PhD, Director, STEPP Center of Excellence, Executive Director, National Municipal Stormwater Alliance
• Speaker: Greg McPartlin, President, Urban Quarries
• Speaker: Paula Kalinosky, PE, Stormwater Research, Engineering and Outreach Unit, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Speaker: Mike Trojan, PhD, Hydrologist, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (retired), NMSA STEPP Program, Technical Lead