Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) Program

Current OWTS Projects
We continue to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and other partner groups to promote improved onsite wastewater systems (OWTS) design, installation, operations and management.  The new Certified Installer of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (CIOWTS) credential is now available!  This nationally-available credential covers all forms of installation and is offered at both a basic and advanced level.  For more information, please contact Christl Tate, Onsite Wastewater Program Coordinator, at 303.756.9090, ext. 305 or visit our CIOWTS information page.  

In addition to developing the national credential for onsite wastewater system installers, NEHA is part of a select group of national organizations that signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with USEPA to improve the quality and quantity of resources and education available to professionals in the onsite wastewater field and those whose work involves building on or buying/selling land with dwellings that will use an onsite system. 

NEHA OWTS Resources
Onsite Wastewater Credential - Learn more about the development and implementation of this exciting new credential.

Conferences and Workshops - Each year NEHA puts on a number of conferences and workshops, including the Annual Educational Conference (AEC) & Exhibition. The 2007 conference, held in Atlantic City, New Jersey this year, included 13 Onsite Wastewater Systems Educational Sessions and a field trip to the New Jersey Pinelands. For those who didn't attend, you can access conference information on the 2007 AEC CD available through the NEHA Store. Information from select past sessions can be downloaded for the Onsite Wastewater Systems Presentations from 2004 NEHA AEC & Exhibition and the Onsite Wastewater Systems Presentation from 2005 NEHA AEC & Exhibition. And, mark your calendar now for next year's 72nd Annual AEC in Tucson, Arizona on June 22-25, 2008!

Journal of Environmental Health - The Journal of Environmental Health is published 10 times per year by the National Environmental Health Association and keeps readers up-to-date on current issues, new research, useful products and services, and employment opportunities.  We frequently cover issues of importance to onsite wastewater professionals, and reprints are available through Alicia Green.

Bookstore - NEHA's bookstore provides environmental health professionals with the latest in relevant educational material.  In our Water Quality section, we feature a number of resources for those in the onsite wastewater field.

Calendar of Events - Many NEHA affiliate conferences and other conferences have sessions for OSWS.  Check our calendar periodically to find events of interest.

Opportunities from Partner Associations

Water Environment Research Foundation:  Open Requests for Proposals
National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association

Other OWTS Resources
USEPA Onsite/Decentralized Wastewater Systems Web Site
National Association of Wastewater Transporters (NAWT)
National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA)
National Rural Water Association (NRWA)
National Small Flows Clearinghouse (NSFC)
Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)
Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP)
Water Environment Federation (WEF)
Onsite Wastewater Management Guidelines for Tribes
American Waterworks Association (AWWA)