AOWMA has submitted a proposal to Alberta Municipal Affairs to update and enhance the current Onsite Wastewater Practitioner Training Program. When the current training program was developed in
2003, it was designed to train experienced contractors rather than those new to the industry.

The demographic seen in the classroom today is significantly different than that seen in the earlier years of training delivery. Because of this change in demographic, the AOWMA has examined the current training program to determine concepts that should be updated or that are not covered.

Initial intended changes are an introductory component for those new to the industry, enhanced modules on the regulatory framework and on soils, a soils field day that is incorporated into the current training program, increased focus on design of gravity and pressure fields as well as other system types, an added
module addressing At-Grade Design.

The enhanced training program will be rolled out in 2014.