Three new associations have joined National Association of Wastewater Transporters. We welcome them and their representatives:

Kit Rosefield, education coordinator for the California Onsite Wastewater Association, is an adjunct instructor at Columbia Community College in Sonora, Calif. He is a NAWT-certified inspector, O & M service provider and instructor. Rosefield also is a National Sanitation Foundation international-accredited inspector, Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment O & M instructor, and proctor for the NSF inspector practical exam. He serves on the NAWT Education Committee and represents NAWT for the Partnership for Decentralized Wastewater Management.

Gene Bassett, owner of E.C. Bassett Construction in Edgewood, N.M., is a state-certified wastewater operator, licensed general contractor, system designer, installer, and maintenance service provider. He served on the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association board, is the CEO of the Professional Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association of New Mexico, and a member of the Florida Septic Tank Association.

Jace Ensor from Ruidoso, N.M., installs and maintains advanced treatment systems when he isn’t precasting septic tanks. He founded the New Mexico Onsite Wastewater Association.

We encourage other state and regional associations to follow suit. The $100 membership fee ensures you have a voice on the NAWT board and your concerns are heard at the national level. Another benefit is the ability to network with other associations. For example, learning how one group overcame a legislative hurdle is easier than struggling through the maze alone. It’s also important to remember that the only focus of our agenda is the pumpers’ agenda. By not representing everybody in the industry, we approve ideas faster and keep moving forward.

If you don’t have a state association, we’ll accept you as an independent member until enough people from your state join NAWT. Then we’ll help to develop a state association. It’s important to do that because septic system regulations occur on a state level. Call us at 800/236-6298 and we’ll offer advice, supply model bylaws, and even a manual on how to form an

organization.

Not many associations drop out, but when they do, it is because the representative never became involved with NAWT proceedings. Active representatives take part in nine 60-minute teleconferences per year. They hear what is going on, voice opinions and issues, and report activities and results at their meetings. The membership sees the value of belonging to NAWT and continues its support. To avoid losing associations, we request that they elect a different representative when we notice one who isn’t participating. The strategy appears to be working.

Maintaining NAWT Certification

Probably the most frequently asked question we hear is, “Why isn’t my name on the NAWT inspector list on the Web site anymore?” Answer: Your certification has expired. A credential is good for two years, and you can check its expiration date at www.nawt.org. Retaining the credential requires eight hours of continuing education taken during the last 18 months before the certificate expires. In other words, any classes taken the first six months after the certification date do not count toward the required eight CEUs. We chose this route because technical knowledge changes rapidly in two years.

We’re open-minded regarding the type of onsite training you choose, provided it doesn’t involve business or municipal treatment plant operator courses. Many other entities and university extensions offer acceptable classes. In addition, NAWT will present its operation and maintenance course at the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International in Louisville, Ky., next year. If you have any doubts about which credits we’ll approve, call our toll-free number and ask before registering.

If you are a member of NAWT or received your CEUs through a NAWT-trained course, we will waive the two-year, $150 credential service fee. The monies help pay for updating and maintaining our Web site, mailings and the quarterly newsletter.

NAWT WASTE TREATMENT SYMPOSIUM

This is your last chance to register for the fifth annual NAWT Waste Treatment Symposium, Sept. 15-16, in Washington, Pa. The registration fee is $275 for members and $375 for nonmembers. For more information or to download a registration form, go to www.nawt.org.

Notice that this year’s agenda has concurrent tracks on Wednesday, one for beginners and another for experienced operators. Lunch is included that day. Dave Hapchuk will sponsor dinner that evening at his treatment facility in Wheeling, W.Va., enabling everyone to continue networking.

The other change from previous years is that Thursday begins with the field trip to Hapchuk’s plant. We’ll eat lunch there, then return to the classroom.

2010 SYMPOSIUM AGENDA

WEDNESDAY (classroom all day)

Welcome and introduction: Tom Frank, Tim Frank Septic Tank Cleaning Co., Huntsburg, Ohio.

Safety Issues in the Treatment Plant: Ed Fitzgerald, Jack Doheny Companies, Northville, Mich.

TRACK 1

Analyzing Your Resources: Getting Started, Dave Gustafson, P.E., extension engineer at the University of Minnesota and Onsite Sewage Treatment Program trainer, and Tom Frank.

What Process is Best for Me? Economics of Waste Treatment, Tom Ferrero, Ferrero and Associates, Ambler, Pa.

Unit Processes: Moderated by Therese Wheaton, Crystal Environmental Services Inc., Springboro, Pa.

Screening: Grit Removal, Doug McCord, EnQuip Co., Exton, Pa.

Equalization, Therese Wheaton.

Chemical Addition: Polymers and Lime, Jim Millard, Aqua Ben Corp., Oswego, Ill.

Pumps: Jeff Seaton, Boerger Pumps LLC, Minneapolis, Minn.

Odor Control: Martin Crawford, Bay Products Inc., Stateline, Nev.

TRACK 2

Effluent Nitrogen Reduction: Luke Deshotels, Big Mamou Bio-Solids Inc., Mamou, La.

Class A Biosolids Options: Robert Rubin, Ph.D., McKim & Creed, Cary, N.C.

Anaerobic Digestion: Kit Rosefield, adjunct instructor at Columbia Community College, Sonora, Calif.

TRACK 3

Dewatering Options: Moderated by Therese Wheaton

Screw Press: Wes Bond, FKC Co. Screw Press, Port Angeles, Wash.

Rotary Press: Peter Gagne, Fournier Industries Inc., Thetford Mines, Québec, Canada.

Belt Press: Kelly Brown, BDP Industries, Greenwich, N.Y.

Container Filter: Therese Wheaton.

TRACK 4

BOD Reduction: Bob Advent, Advanced Industrial Aeration, Orlando, Fla.

Odor Control: Biofilters, Martin Crawford, Bay Products.

General Sessions

Wheeling Pretreatment Program: John West, superintendent.

Case History of Liquid Assets Disposal: Dave Hapchuk, owner, Washington, Pa.

Social hour for networking with hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and dinner (included).

THURSDAY (morning field trip, afternoon at Hapchuk facility)

Liquid Assets Disposal: Wheeling, W.Va.

Q & A Forum: All presenters and demonstrators present.