Our mission at NASSCO (the National Association of Sewer Service Companies) is to set industry standards for the assessment and evaluation of underground pipelines and to assure the continued acceptance and growth of trenchless technologies. Every year around this time we like to take a step back and appreciate everything our members have collectively accomplished to help achieve these important goals.

Most notably, 2012 was a big year for the Pipeline Assessment and Certification Program (PACP). As the North American standard for pipeline defect identification and assessment, NASSCO is vigilant in keeping PACP relevant and the data and other information technically sound. Changes this year include:

Implementation of PACP user recertification to maintain a high level of data reliabilityAddition of free online PACP training materials available on our websiteImplementation of a PACP trainer recertification board and revised trainer recertification processImprovement of training materials for trainersInitiation of PACP Version 7.0 developmentEstablishment of technical bulletins for the PACP ManualTranslation of the PACP manual into Spanish and coordination of the first PACP class in Colombia last OctoberCoordination with Quebec Province to begin the translation of PACP Version 6.0.1 into French

We will continue our quest to keep PACP on the cutting edge in 2013. In doing so, NASSCO will hold PACP workshops — Jan. 30, 2013, at the Underground Construction Technology Conference, and Feb. 26, 2013, at the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo — to provide industry professionals with the opportunity to share ideas to continually improve PACP.

This year, we added Manhole Rehabilitation to the Inspector Training Certification Program (ITCP) after extensive peer review from manhole rehabilitation experts throughout the country. We are now prepared to begin teaching this as a new ITCP topic.

This past year also brought changes in the way we structure and manage our various NASSCO committees. Following our annual meeting last February, we conducted research to identify the main reasons people join (or continue to belong to) NASSCO. Aside from education and networking with peers, the ability to participate in one of our many committees also ranks very high. In order to continue to stir the waters and bring fresh thinking to each of our committees, we established a biennial restructuring of leadership. Moving forward, individuals will be able to hold a chair position on a committee for a maximum of two years. This will allow the committees to build traction, make positive changes, and then turn over the reins to new leaders to build upon prior successes.

Finally, NASSCO has been fortunate to partner with a number of leading industry publications, such as Municipal Sewer & Water. These features include technical tips, ongoing articles for NASSCO and its committees, as well as case studies for the International Pipe Bursting Association, a division of NASSCO. This article, in fact, is a result of our ongoing partnership with MSW. The industry media have come together to help NASSCO share industry information, trends and updates to further promote our mission.

Ted DeBoda is executive director of NASSCO. He can be reached at director@nassco.org.