Moving forward, readers will be able to find the latest industry happenings and valuable information provided by the association. For the first column, a crash course about NAWT and what they represent in the industry. 

Who is NAWT?

The National Association of Wastewater Technicians is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing education, training and certification in the onsite wastewater treatment systems industry. Since the 1990s, NAWT has led the way with its flagship Inspection Training Course, built on scientific research, industry expertise and the practical experience of wastewater professionals nationwide.

Whether you are new to the field or have been working in wastewater for decades, NAWT is here to support your growth, provide certification programs you can trust and promote consistency in how our industry designs, installs, services and inspects OWTS.

Why Standards Matter

Standards aren’t just technical guidelines — they are the foundation of trust, safety and professionalism in our industry.

As one inspector from Colorado recently shared:

“When I meet a homeowner and explain that I’m NAWT-certified, there’s an immediate sense of reassurance. They know I’m following proven standards — not just my own opinion — and that builds confidence in the work we do.”

By teaching to a standard, NAWT ensures every practitioner — whether in a small rural town or a large urban area — applies the same methods, speaks the same language, and delivers work that others can replicate and trust.

What’s New in 2026?

Starting in 2026, NAWT will launch an updated version of its Inspection Course: the NAWT OWTS Inspection Standards. This new program takes our proven protocols and makes them more step-by-step, practical and user-friendly.

New evaluation tools

Here’s what’s changing:

• Refined inspection process: A more instructive, guided approach that walks inspectors through each component of an OWTS.
• Defined conclusions: Every step leads to clear, evidence-based outcomes — no more guesswork.
• Dry Aggregate Rules – A method to better understand how liquids are behaving in the soil treatment area.
• Hydraulic Load Test – A practical test to confirm whether the system is functioning as intended.

Moving the Industry Forward

The updated Inspection Standards will not only make inspections more accurate but also help practitioners explain findings more clearly to property owners, regulators, and contractors.

We encourage all current inspectors to return for the updated course at their next renewal cycle. Together, we can continue to raise the bar for professionalism, consistency and excellence in the OWTS industry nationwide.