NAWT Training Courses

The NAWT Inspection Standards Certification Course is a two-day, in-depth training program designed for professionals who inspect onsite wastewater treatment systems. The course provides the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to conduct thorough, standardized inspections based on NAWT national standards.

Participants learn to perform inspections for key applications, including transfer of title, operations and maintenance, and regulatory compliance. Emphasis is placed on standardized procedures for evaluating system components, interpreting findings, and reaching defensible conclusions about system condition and functionality.

Through guided instruction and hands-on exercises, attendees learn to identify deficiencies, document inspections accurately, and communicate results effectively.

The training concludes with a comprehensive exam. Participants who pass earn NAWT certification, an industry-recognized credential affirming their ability to conduct consistent, code-compliant, and reliable inspections.

This course is intended for inspectors, pumpers, installers, and regulatory officials seeking to ensure their work meets national inspection standards.

The NAWT Installer I Training Course provides a foundational understanding of the essential principles involved in installing Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS). This nationally recognized program is designed for those entering the industry or reinforcing their skills with current practices based on applicable standards and regulations.

Participants explore the basic components and installation practices of simple OWTS, with emphasis on professionalism, safety, compliance with design intent, and local codes. The course also stresses the importance of understanding system design and site-specific regulations so installers can construct or alter systems in accordance with approved plans.

Course Highlights

• Introduction to OWTS system types and components
• Core installation principles and procedures
• Review of current treatment and distribution technologies
• Regulatory and safety standards
• Understanding site plans and permits
• Benchmarks for high-quality installations

Note: This course does not include training on machine operations such as excavation equipment.

The course concludes with a comprehensive exam. Upon successful completion, participants receive a training certification demonstrating their preparedness to perform OWTS installations and alterations professionally and in compliance with industry standards.

The NAWT Installer II Training Course is an advanced-level program designed for professionals looking to expand their expertise in the installation of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS). Building on the foundational knowledge from Installer I, this course emphasizes advanced concepts and principles for managing more complex installations.

Key topics include mound systems, pressure-dosed and timed dosing systems, advanced treatment units (ATUs), drip dispersal technologies, and strategies for addressing complex site conditions such as high groundwater, limited soil depth, and restrictive layers.

Participants also learn about system performance optimization, regulatory compliance, and advanced troubleshooting techniques.

The course concludes with a comprehensive exam. Successful candidates earn the NAWT Installer II Training Certification, demonstrating proficiency in advanced OWTS installation practices.

Prerequisite: Completion of the NAWT Installer I Training Course.

O&M I — Introduction to OWTS Operations and Maintenance

This foundational course introduces participants to the operations and maintenance sector of the Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems industry. O&M I provides essential knowledge and hands-on skills required to service and maintain basic gravity and simple dosing systems.

Participants gain an understanding of what an OWTS is, how it functions, and why proper operation and maintenance are critical to system performance and environmental impact.

A comprehensive exam is administered at the end of the course. Participants who successfully complete the course receive a NAWT O&M I training certification.

O&M II — Advanced OWTS Operations and Maintenance

Building on O&M I, this course explores advanced treatment technologies used in OWTS and is tailored for professionals responsible for servicing and maintaining more complex systems.

Special attention is given to advanced technologies, ongoing maintenance practices, regulatory compliance, system longevity, and legacy systems no longer supported by manufacturers.

This course also includes a comprehensive exam. Participants who successfully complete the course receive a NAWT O&M II training certification.

This course was developed with a grant from the USEPA and Penn State and the Pennsylvania Septage Management Association (PSMA). PSMA, a long-time member and ally of NAWT, gifted the training course to the NAWT Training Program to support national expansion of the course and certification program.

The course is designed specifically for those who own or operate vacuum trucks within the industry. It provides a strong base of information for newer employees while also serving as a refresher and overview for experienced operators.

Topics Include

• Materials to pump and materials to avoid
• Government regulations
• Truck equipment and components
• Drive and control mechanisms
• Basic and advanced pump-out skills and procedures
• Loading and unloading
• Safety and emergency response plans
• Customer interaction and education
• Reasons to manage the materials
• Basic science of vacuum and pressurization
• Pumps
• Basic pump truck operations
• Manifests and reporting

The course is presented using videos and hands-on exercises with a pump truck.

The NAWT OWTS Design Principles Training Course provides a comprehensive introduction to universal design concepts with a specific focus on the fundamental principles that guide the design of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems.

The course is intended for participants seeking to understand core design elements, including balance, proportion, unity, and hierarchy as applied to OWTS design, without an in-depth focus on regulatory compliance.

Participants explore principles that can be applied across OWTS designs, building a foundation for approaching design challenges while considering how onsite wastewater systems integrate into broader environmental and infrastructure strategies.

The Course Includes

• Universal design principles in the context of OWTS
• Hands-on examples and real-world case studies
• A comprehensive examination
• NAWT OWTS Design Principles Certification upon successful completion

The course provides a strong foundation in the universal principles that support successful OWTS design.

The NAWT DOT CDL Pre and Post Trip Inspection course is an online continuing education course focused on commercial vehicle pre-trip and post-trip inspection requirements and practices.

The course is presented by instructor Fred Yuhasz and provides 1 CEU Credit Hour.

NAWT makes this course available online for wastewater industry professionals who operate commercial vehicles and need practical training related to vehicle inspection responsibilities.