Wastewater Professionals

Registered Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Installers

To be state registered, installers must complete the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Basic Registered Installers training course. Basic registered installers training covers the application process, soils, and the design and installation of conventional onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). Where soils are suitable for a conventional sewage tank/soil absorption system, or a lagoon, Registered Basic OWTS Installers can assist property owners with designing a standard onsite system, obtaining a permit, and constructing a system that will properly treat wastewater.

Effective July 1, 2005, an individual must be registered with DHSS as an advanced OWTS installer to install advanced systems as listed by DHSS. To be registered as an advanced OWTS installer, an individual must complete the Advanced OWTS Installer Course. Successful completion of the basic OWTS installer course is a prerequisite. Where a conventional system or lagoon is not appropriate, an engineered design may be needed. A Registered Advanced OWTS Installer can assist property owners with obtaining a construction permit and constructing an advanced system.

Registered OWTS Installers must obtain 20 contact hours of approved continuing education for registration renewal every three years. Continuing education helps improve standards of practice and increases professionalism in the onsite industry.

DHSS Registered Installer Lists include individuals in up to five counties where they have indicated they are available for work. Except for a homeowner, no person may install or construct an onsite wastewater treatment system without registration. Lists of probationary registered installers, suspended/revoked installers and expired professional registrations are also provided.

Onsite Soil Evaluators (OSE)

To be registered, an individual must have 15 college credit hours in soil science coursework (10 hours for Professional Engineers and Geologists), including three hours in soil morphology and interpretations. Refer to 19CSR 20-3.080 for the regulations regarding requirements for OSE. An applicant will be responsible for obtaining sufficient field experience to successfully complete a written and field test.

Soil evaluators conduct thorough evaluations of the site and soil for use in the design of onsite systems. DHSS Onsite Soil Evaluators Lists include individuals in counties where they have indicated they are available for work. Contact the local onsite sewage authority to confirm that an individual has met local requirements, if any. No person may perform site/soil evaluations for onsite system design without registration. Onsite Soil Evaluators must obtain 20 contact hours of approved continuing education for registration renewal every three years. Unless the renewal process is completed, the professional’s registration expires at the end of the registration period.

Licensed Onsite System Inspectors/Evaluators (property transfer related)

To be licensed to inspect or evaluate onsite systems for real estate transactions, an individual must successfully complete the Licensed Inspector/Evaluator course. Successful completion of the Registered Installers course is required before taking the inspector/evaluator course. Licensed Inspectors/evaluators must obtain 20 contact hours of approved continuing education for license renewal every three years. Unless the renewal process is completed, the professional’s registration expires at the end of the registration period. In some counties there may be local requirements in addition to state licensing for onsite system inspectors. DHSS Licensed Onsite System Inspectors/Evaluators Lists include individuals in counties where they have indicated they are available for work. Confirm with local authorities that a Licensed Inspector/Evaluator can check onsite systems in a particular county.

Inspector/evaluator training and license renewal qualifies a person to check the condition of an onsite wastewater system at the time of a property sale. For a county list or a complete list of Licensed Inspectors, or Licensed Evaluators, contact the Onsite Sewage Program. No person may inspect or evaluate onsite systems related to the sale of real estate without a license.

You may read more about inspections and evaluations to help you determine which is best for your needs.

Registered Percolation Testers

To be registered to conduct percolation tests, a person must complete the Registered Percolation Tester training course. Some county authorities may not accept percolation tests, requiring a soil morphology evaluation instead.

Registered percolation tester training qualifies a person to evaluate a site and measure the percolation rate for the soil at a proposed site. The percolation rate can be used to determine the type and size of system needed. Contact the local onsite sewage agency for a list of registered percolation testers who work in your area. You may contact the Onsite Sewage Program for a complete list of Registered Percolation Testers or a list by county. Registered Percolation Testers must obtain 20 contact hours of approved continuing education for registration renewal every three years. Unless the renewal process is completed, the professional’s registration expires at the end of the registration period.No person may conduct a percolation test for onsite system design without registration.