Two years ago, the National Association of Wastewater Transporters Education Committee identified two areas it had been studying that needed additional time and effort to bring to completion. The first was the feasibility of sponsorship of NAWT education programs, and the other was to collect information on the cost of operation of septage treatment facilities.

 

IMPORTANT ANALYSIS

About that time, student Todd Frank expressed the desire to perform one of his required internships through Ashland University’s College of Business and Economics. Todd, the son of Tom and Carol Frank and grandson of Tim Frank, current NAWT president, felt this was a way he could contribute to NAWT and the industry. Todd was a recipient of the William Hapchuk Memorial Scholarship awarded annually through NAWT.

Todd worked with NAWT on a plan for the internship, which was submitted to and approved by the university. For completing an internship with NAWT, Todd would earn three credit hours of experience toward his degree.

Todd worked with a NAWT team including the executive director, education coordinator and the Education Committee to prepare a survey, collect and analyze information from waste treatment facilities on how the size of pumping companies relates to technology usage. This information will help with future NAWT education programs on establishing and operating septage and grease trap facilities.

As a part of this process, Todd developed a spreadsheet for businesses to create a detailed analysis to determine if a treatment facility is economically viable. This spreadsheet is not meant to be the final answer, but rather a tool businesses can use to evaluate their unique situation. Taking this information and working with their consultants, business owners can determine whether they should move forward on building a facility.

 

PRESENTED AT EXPO

As a culmination of this effort, Todd made a presentation of the spreadsheet during the NAWT track of seminars on Education Day at the Pumper and Cleaner Environmental Expo International in Indianapolis. This was a very well attended session and Todd did a great job of presenting the information.

NAWT members can access the spreadsheet at the NAWT website. Contact Courtney Peterson, NAWT executive director, to learn how to gain access.

As a final note Todd just graduated from Ashland University and will be joining the family business. Congratulations Todd!