Education is the foundation for all progress, and there's nowhere to build a better foundation than at the 2013 Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo. This year's Expo features one of the most expansive lineups of educational opportunities in the event's 33-year history.

First off is Expo Education Day, Monday, Feb. 25, which has grown greatly in scope and attendance over the years. Tracks of seminars are sponsored by a variety of professional organizations, including the National Association of Sewer Service Companies, WaterJet Technology Association and the Southern Section Collection Systems Committee. The full day of seminars includes many opportunities for sanitary, storm and water maintenance professionals to earn continuing education credits toward state certification.

The following days will feature a variety of additional seminars covering a wide range of topics, from professional techniques in the field to efficiencies gained through remote monitoring.

All of the education seminars, including a lineup of sessions presented in Spanish, will be held at the Indiana Convention Center in meeting rooms adjacent to the Pumper & Cleaner Expo exhibit halls. For more information on seminar times, locations and speakers, visit www.pumpershow.com.

Education Day seminars of interest to municipal utility professionals include the following:

Education Day, Monday, Feb. 25

WaterJet Technology Association

"Safety & Efficiency – You Don't Have to Choose!" by Gary Toothe, training manager for FS Solutions: Learn about safe and efficient use of vacuum, and how the best safety devices can actually speed up the vacuum job and make you more productive.

"Selecting the Best Jetting Tip Doesn't Have to Be Scary," by Gary Toothe: Learn the factors in selecting the proper jetting tip for sewer, pipe, tube and surface cleaning.

"Hydroexcavation – The Non-Destructive Solution," by Benjamin Schmitt, product manager for Vactor Manufacturing: Learn the distinctions between hydroexcavation and pneumatic excavation, and a review of who is using the technology and applications.

"Understanding the Power: Physics of Vacuum and How it Works," by Phil Stein: Explore how vacuum is used to remove various liquids and solids, as well as the science and calculations related to everyday job situations.

"Safe and Proper Operation of Combination Machines," by Chris Cira, president of M Tech: Learn safe and proper use, care and maintenance of combination machines, including key aspects of the NASSCO guidelines.

Southern Section Collection Systems Committee

"Seven Powerful Tools for CCTV Inspection Perfection," by Mark Hill, senior project manager, RFB Consulting: Take a "big picture" look at CCTV inspection and learn to avoid common mistakes that frustrate management.

"Easements – A Collection System Maintenance Nightmare," by Denis Pollak: Discuss the challenges faced when cleaning and inspecting pipelines with easement access and learn about the best tool technology and procedures available to maintain difficult-to-reach access points.

"Nozzle Science – The Next Generation of Tier 3 Nozzles and Beyond," by Rick Lewis: Learn about specific nozzles and their design, as well as their precise uses and alternative applications.

"Pipeline Relining and Rehabilitation Solutions," by Dave Badgley: Discuss infiltration, exfiltration, roots, corrosion and structural defects in collection systems along with the four basic styles of technology used for mainline replacement and rehabilitation of pipelines and lateral connections.

National Association of Sewer Service Companies

"Ultraviolet Manhole Rehabilitation," by Bob O'Connor and Tim Back, president and engineer with Municipal and Contractors Sealing Products: Review ultraviolet-curable resins for use in manhole rehabilitation, including joint and invert repair, corrosion protection and as a water sealer.

"Convey Your Stormwater and Plug Your Holes," by C. Timothy Fallara, City of Columbus project manager, and John P. Schroeder, civil and environmental engineer: This session will discuss achieving significant inflow and infiltration reduction to restore system capacity, as well as reducing SSOs/CSOs, and related topics.

"Jet Up! Sewer and Storm Water Cleaning," by Scott Paquet, president and CEO of NozzTeq Inc.: Learn proper jetting techniques, hose line loss charts, pipe and hose sizes, jet size, and how to test truck equipment.

"Rethinking Collection Maintenance with the Sewer Line Rapid Assessment Tool or SL-RAT," by Alex Churchill, CEO of InfoSense: Get to know the SL-RAT (sewer line rapid assessment tool) and how it fills the gap between visual inspection and robotic cameras by identifying potential pipe blockages over large portions of wastewater collection systems.

"Case Study of Cleaning Large-Diameter Sanitary Sewers and Siphons," by Mark Barnett, P.E., Hydrostructures: Learn by example how to clean and inspect abandoned and active large-diameter sanitary sewer mains prior to rehabilitation. Examples include approximately 4,300 linear feet of sanitary sewer mains, ranging in size from 36 to 102 inches in diameter, and two siphons: a triple barrel consisting of 36-inch, 42-inch and 60-inch pipe, and a single barrel with 102-inch siphon.

"Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) 2013 Update Workshop," by Ted DeBoda, executive director of NASSCO: Get a look at proposed updates to the PACP, MACP and LACP manuals. Attendees are invited to make suggestions to improve the next version of the program.

Dozens more seminars will be held throughout Tuesday and Wed-nesday, covering everything from trenchless point repairs to utility line locating. There's a lot of knowledge to be gained, and your utility is sure to benefit.