CPOW OWTS DESIGN COURSE
Online Modules ($360) + In-Person Instruction ($295)

TOTAL CPOW MEMBER COST: $655

*YOU MUST BE A CPOW MEMBER TO REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS*

*THE CPOW SOILS COURSE IS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR THIS CLASS* If you have not attended the CPOW Soils Course previously, and do not have a Certificate of Completion from the class, you will not be able to attend this course. Please check the CPOW Events webpage for the next available CPOW Soils Course.

The CPOW 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. A passing score is required to receive a CPOW completion certificate.

Instructors:

• Matt Hopkins – 285 Engineering
• Roger Shafer, PE – SCG Enterprises, Inc

In-Person Course Dates:

• August 13-14 , 2026

In-Person Course Location:

• Chaffee County
  • Please check back for updates on the venue location

REQUIRED REGISTRATION FOR THE ONLINE MODULES CAN BE ACCESSED HERE.

*YOU WILL NEED TO CREATE A USER PROFILE FOR THE NOWRA ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORM TO OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE DESIGN MODULES. PLEASE NOTE THAT MEMBER ACCESS TO THE ONLINE MODULES CAN TAKE 1-3 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER REGISTERING YOUR PROFILE ON THE NOWRA PLATFORM* PURCHASING THE MODULES PRIOR TO YOUR MEMBER PROFILE BEING APPROVED WILL RESULT IN PAYING THE NON-MEMBER PRICE ($545) FOR THE BUNDLE. If you do not already have a NOWRA Platform Profile, you can create a User Profile HERE, just select “Sign-Up” under the login box. Your User Profile will be confirmed within 1-3 business days, and you’ll be able to purchase the CPOW Design Modules at the Member Price. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Lisa Nicoll, cpow@nullcpow.net.

ONLINE MODULE COST: $360 for 13.5 hours of online module learning.

• CPOW Specific Design Material – 2.0 Hours
  • History of OWTS Design
  • Life Cycle Analysis
  • Installation Inspections
• Wastewater Characteristics – 1.0 Hour
• Design: Septic Tanks – 1.0 Hour
• Understanding Tank Buoyancy – 1.0 Hour
• Design: Aerobic Treatment Units – 1.5 Hours
• Design: Intro to Nitrogen Removal – 1.0 Hour
• Design: Drip Distribution – 2.0 Hours
• Media Filters – 1.0 Hour
• Fate & Transport – 1.0 Hour
• Design: Time Dosing & Flow Equalization – 1.0 Hour
• Disinfection in OWTS Systems – 1.0 Hour
• Intro to Phosphorus Reduction – 1.0 Hour

*You will register for and complete the online modules at the website linked above.*
These online modules must be completed by August 6th BEFORE attending the In-Person instruction.
*Failure to complete the Online Modules by August 6th WILL result in dismissal from the In-Person Instruction*

COURSE PRICING:

CPOW Member 2-day Attendance: $295
Includes one (1) CPOW OWTS Certificate Certificate
Option to add a NAWT Design Certificate for $100 at the time of registration
*NAWT Design Exam is NOT required to obtain NAWT Design Certificate
Additional requested NAWT Certificate Renewals will be invoiced at $100/ea after the class

PRINTED PRESENTATION SLIDES: $15 option at the time of registration

Registration is now available for the course. Please click HERE to access the Course Registration.
*REGISTRATION FOR THE IN-PERSON OPTION WILL CLOSE AT 5:00PM MDT ON MONDAY, AUGUST 4TH TO ALLOW FOR TIME TO COMPLETE THE MODULES BEFORE THE AUGUST 6TH DEADLINE*

You can also email Lisa Nicoll at cpow@nullcpow.net and include the registrant(s) Name, any applicable Company Name, Mailing Address, and Phone Number.

You must have a 2026 CPOW membership to receive member pricing.
2026 Memberships can be purchased/renewed at the time of registration.
Please note that CPOW Memberships are valid until Dec 31 of the calendar year for which they are purchased and need to be
renewed annually to take advantage of Member Pricing on CPOW Courses and Events

CPOW EXAM POLICY:

• If the exam is not passed during the first attempt, a second attempt will be allowed, and will be scheduled after the first attempt. If the second attempt does not result in a passing score, or if the rescheduled exam date is missed with no notification, the participant will need to re-take the full course again, but at a discounted rate due to the certification being paid for with the first registration. The registration for the next class will provide for two additional attempts to take the exam to obtain a passing grade. Exam retakes must be scheduled and taken within 90 days of the end of the course before the exam retake option is void. 

INSTRUCTORS:

Matt Hopkins
Project Geologist/Buena Vista Office Manager, 285 Engineering.
Matthew has worked in the Geotechnical Engineering industry for over 20 years. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from West Virginia University in 2000. He currently specializes in OWTS design and manages geotechnical, environmental, and wetlands projects. Matt has designed over a thousand onsite wastewater systems in Colorado over a wide range of counties. Design of these systems in challenging mountainous terrain is one of his specialties. He has been a participating member of CPOW since 2015 and served on the board as president.

Roger J. Shafer, P.E.
General Manager, SCG Enterprises, Inc.
Roger has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alaska; and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science and Engineering from Colorado School of Mines. He is registered as a professional engineer in Colorado. Roger has over 35 years of engineering experience in the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Industry, and he has been an active member in CPOW since the origination of the organization.