CPOW Training Courses:
Colorado Soils Training
Colorado Soils Training is a CDPHE-approved class to meet the requirements of the Section 43.5.J.2.c of the newly adopted Regulation #43 for a Competent Technician. The course includes classroom lecture and field work to learn observation skills for profile holes and using visual and tactile evaluations to identify the soil types and characteristics needed to site and design onsite wastewater treatment systems. These methods are in accordance with the USDA methodology that has been used across the county. Identify soil types by hand texturing and observation. Identify presence or absence of soil structure. Identify grade of soil structure. Recognize evidence of highest season water surface. Identify layers and interfaces that will interfere with effluent movement. Determine the most promising depth for infiltrative surface of OWTS and for percolation tests. Understand basic principles of OWTS siting and design. Passing the course examination will demonstrate competency in the visual and tactile evaluation of soil. Certificates of Competency will be provided to participants that pass this exam.
Colorado OWTS Design
The CPOW-created, Colorado-specific OWTS Design Course is a completely updated course that was developed in response to the growing needs for a Colorado-specific, comprehensive, design course. The course is a hybrid of online modules, created by both CPOW and NOWRA, followed by a two-day, in-person classroom instruction with a field component. *The online modules are to be completed prior to attending the in-person portion.* The course presents science based principles of design, while including practical applications using the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Regulation 43 On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems requirements. In addition to being a useful course for Designers, other industry professionals, such as Regulators, Installers, and Service Providers can benefit from the course. There will be an exam at the completion of the course and a passing score is required to receive a CPOW completion certificate. *THE CPOW SOILS COURSE IS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR THE COLORADO OWTS DESIGN COURSE*
NAWT Certification Courses:
NAWT OWTS Inspection Standards
The NAWT OWTS Inspection Standards class is a nationally recognized Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) class developed to provide training, education, testing and certification for individuals conducting OWTS inspections for property transfers, system functionality and county or homeowner association requirements. The course covers the newly adopted NAWT OWTS Inspection Standards and helps guide the inspector through the inspection steps with the goal of arriving at a conclusion for each component and an overall conclusion for the system. The NAWT level of inspection is the Operations Level. All parts and components are assessed, and their condition and deficiencies are identified. This is the generally accepted course that state and county health departments use for their certification requirements for individuals operating as OWTS Inspectors.
NAWT OWTS Installer 1 & 2
The Installer 1 session will cover the basics of what an installer would need to know about OWTS installation. The course covers an introduction of what an Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) is, while helping the installer understand the importance of completing the installation correctly and in accordance with state and county regulations and the design. Contractor safety will be discussed as it relates to installation practices. The following topics will be emphasized during the presentations: Installation techniques and materials, the steps involved in planning an OWTS installation project, as well as a discussion of the different components that make up an OWTS. This course is designed to meet the needs of any individual interested in what goes into completing an OWTS installation whether they have been a contractor for many years or new to this type of work. The Installer 1 certification is a prerequisite for the Installer 2 certification.
The Installer 2 course is a continuation from Installer 1 with more advanced subject matter for the OWTS Installer. Beginning with an overview of site and soils analysis to help understand the complexity of the soil treatment area as an OWTS component, the course material will look deeper into the techniques and materials necessary for OWTS Installation. The course will also take a broader look at dosing and aerobic systems, their components, and how to ensure proper installation and dosing of these types of systems. In addition, sections will cover the complex components and installation techniques for drip irrigation systems. Completion of the course will provide participants with the knowledge of what is involved be a professional and competent OWTS installer.
NAWT OWTS Operations & Maintenance
The Operations & Maintenance class is a nationally recognized OWTS class developed to provide training, testing and certification for individuals who provide O & M for OWTS systems. The NAWT O & M training is very intensive and is, therefore, split into two parts. The first part, O&M 1, concentrates on business aspects of O&M and the operation and maintenance required for conventional systems including trenches, beds, mounds and at-grades with some aerobic tank discussion. The second part, O&M 2, concentrates more specifically on Aerobic Tanks, drip irrigation, single pass and re-circulating media filters, etc. Each course is conducted over a two day period, with a field hands-on session and an exam administered at the conclusion of each course. O&M 2 has the prerequisite of attending and passing O&M 1. We encourage all O & M participants to also become certified on any proprietary units that they may be working on in the field to ensure that the manufacturer warranty remains valid. Unlike a manufacturer certification the NAWT O&M Courses will provide the O&M service provider with the skills necessary to service and maintain any OWTS system and the entire OWTS system and not just manufacturers HLT unit.
NAWT Vac Truck Technician
The Vac Truck Technician class is a nationally recognized OWTS class developed to provide training, testing and certification for individuals who own or operate vacuum trucks that are used to clean septic tanks, aerobic treatment units, holding tanks or grease traps. It is directed specifically at owners and employees who may just be starting in business and need a good solid base of information to work with to perform their daily tasks. At the same time this one day training provides a good refresher and overview for even experienced operators. This training is done through the use of presentations, videos and hands on exercises with a pump truck. The program has been developed with a grant from the USEPA, funding provided through the NAWT Education program and in partnership with the National Onsite Wastewater Education and Research Foundation, Inc. and the Pennsylvania Septage Management Association (PSMA).