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 treatment systems (OWTS) design, installation, operations and management. This includes NEHA’s Annual Educational Conference & Exhibition (AEC) and online educational opportunities.

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 on the credential, please contact the NEHA Credentialing Department at 303.756.9090, ext. 337 or 339 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, state and local regulatory agencies 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 2008 conference, held in Tucson, Arizona, included 13 Onsite Wastewater Systems Educational Sessions. For those who didn't attend, you can access conference information on the 2008 AEC CD available through the NEHA Bookstore. 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 73nd Annual AEC in Atlanta, Georgia on June 21-24, 2009!

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)