Meeting the Challenges of Groundwater in Fractured Rock Conference

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Date: September 21- 22, 2026
Burlington, Vermont

Overview:

Fractured rock (including karst) has proven to be the most challenging geologic environment to characterize and remediate. To meet these challenges, environmental science has progressed significantly in this realm in recent years, but much work remains to be done. New tools and technologies provide numerous options that groundwater professionals can employ to characterize even the most challenging sites for remediation and sustainable water supply. This conference has become the leading forum bringing together a broad spectrum of experts to discuss the most effective approaches for a range of problems in these challenging settings.

Call for Platform & Poster Abstracts – the online abstract management system will be opening soon

Open through April 1, 2026

The conference solicits abstracts on all aspects of fractured rock hydrogeology (water quantity and quality), including those addressing:

Understanding the Geologic Framework

  • Conceptual site models and 3D visualization
  • Application of structural geological analysis
  • Application of sequence stratigraphy

Characterizing Flow and Contaminant Transport Properties

  • High-resolution characterization in fractured rock
  • Role of geophysics in fractured rock characterization
  • Role of geochemistry in characterizing fractured rock
  • State-of-the-art or advances in site assessment in fractured rock
  • Innovative/cost-effective contaminant assessment strategies in fractured rock

Groundwater Remediation

  • State-of-the-art in groundwater remediation in fractured rock
  • Monitoring remediation effectiveness
  • Innovative/cost-effective remedial technologies and strategies in fractured rock
  • Lessons learned: What didn’t work and why?

Water Supply and Quality

  • Water supply and recharge in fractured rock
  • Addressing PFAS in fractured rock
  • Arsenic and other natural contaminants in fractured rock
  • Karst flow and contaminant transport properties

Other

  • Groundwater modeling for process quantification and/or decision making
  • How to streamline approaches at lower budget bedrock sites.

Deadline for Submissions: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

    Fees & Registration

    On/before September 21, 2026

    • NGWA member — $545
    • NGWA early career member — $345 
    • Government employee (ID required)* — $545
    • Nonmember — $695
    • Full-time student (ID required) — $150

    Starting September 22, 2026

    • NGWA member — $645
    • NGWA early career Member —  $445
    • Government employee (ID required)* — $645
    • Nonmember — $795
    • Full-time student (ID required) — $200

    Optional September 23 field trip

    • $135 — includes the bus transportation, lunch, and snacks

    Please note: Accepted paper/poster/panel presenters will receive 25% off their registration fee; a discount code will be included in the abstract acceptance notification.

    *Those registering as a government employee must do so by phone; online registration cannot be accepted.

    Team discounts up to 10% available. Click here for more details.

    Field Trip
    Conference Field Trip
    September 23, 2026
    More details coming soon
    Sponsorship Opportunities
     More details coming soon
    Venue
    Hotel Champlain
    60 Battery Street
    Burlington, VT  05401
     

    Accommodations: NGWA has secured a limited block of rooms on a first come, first served basis at the group rate of $269 per night, plus any applicable taxes and fees. This rate applies to the NGWA room block and is valid until the August 29, 2026 cutoff date, unless our room block has been filled before that date. 

    In January 2026, a link to the room block will be provided.