MAP, Inc. & NOWRA Bring Training to the Midwest

Thanks to a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Treatment Works, Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Inc. (RCAP) and the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) have partnered to provide training materials and events for decentralized wastewater system owners and the professionals who work with them.

Often, decentralized wastewater professionals face greater resource constraints than municipal professionals, particularly when it comes to training opportunities. As the workforce continues to age, it is crucial to provide high-quality training materials and events to support the next generation of decentralized professionals.

Through NOWRA and RCAP’s collaboration, MAP, Inc. has been able to deliver three training events to field professionals across its nine-state region. These events included the Resolving Wastewater Treatment Challenges in Small Communities training in Des Moines, Iowa; the Solutions for Difficult Decentralized Wastewater Sites training in Bismarck, North Dakota; and most recently, the Decentralized Wastewater System Operations and Maintenance: Skills for Promoting System Longevity training in Springfield, Missouri.

The most recent training in Missouri had a turnout of more than 70 septic professionals and wastewater operators. Participants received two days of training, along with an additional “train-the-trainer” day, during which attendees visited the Missouri Small Flows (MSO) septic training center. In addition to the training experience, attendees also received continuing education credits (CEUs or contact hours) for maintaining and renewing their professional certifications or licenses.