Previous Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment (CIDWT) curriculum projects have addressed a wide range of issues related to technology and operation and maintenance.  There is now a critical need for CIDWT to focus on education of decentralized wastewater system installers to assure sound, long-lasting construction.  The National Installer Training program addresses this need.  In addition to installation practitioners, the following groups can benefit directly from these materials: state, county, and local regulators who provide wastewater installation oversight; system designers who may be required by code to provide installation oversight as the designer of record; and those designers who may be required to provide installation criteria on plans to obtain design approval.

The Installer Training Program project supports the installer credentialing program being developed by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).  Practitioners who wish to earn the NEHA credential must have a course that covers the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA’s) identified by the stakeholder committee. This training course also supports the stated goals of the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) regarding training installers working in the industry.

The Installer project was completed in November 2009.  The materials produced include a manual with Installation and startup Checklists.  The manual, entitled Installation of Wastewater Treatment Systems is now available for purchase by CIDWT members as well by the general public.  The Installation Checklists describe the key items to be recorded during a maintenance visit are available online. Nearly 240 Diagrams created for the manual are also available. Individuals and entities who wish to use the slide presentations for training will have the opportunity to attend Train-the-Trainer events.  These will be posted in the Calendar.

John Buchanan used the new Installer Training Program materials in Tennessee in December 2009.