Every year around this time we like to take a look back at our mid-year accomplishments and report on the NASSCO-driven activities and updates that benefit our members, as well as others involved in the underground construction industry. One of those updates is an upcoming change in the recertification for the Manhole Assessment and Lateral Assessment certification programs.

Recertification in the Pipeline Assessment Certification Program, MACP and LACP is critical in setting standards for the assessment, maintenance and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure and to ensure the continued acceptance and growth of trenchless technologies. After all, if the most current information for effective coding is not a priority, you can’t provide the best service possible, and that affects us all.

The Pipeline Assessment program requires recertification every three years. We provide a variety of convenient ways to get recertified in order to make it as easy as possible, including an online recertification course, choosing a one-day PACP recertification course taught in a classroom setting, or attending the traditional two-day PACP course for a complete refresher, as if you were a brand new user. PACP recertification also earns you 0.8 CEUs.

It is also important to become recertified every three years in MACP and LACP, which follow the same expiration dates as an individual’s PACP certification. While there will continue to be a fee for PACP recertification, MACP and LACP recertification will soon be free.

Other important initiatives to report as we move into the second half of 2017 involve the Inspector Training Certification Program (ITCP). We have made updates to the CIPP curriculum for ITCP, and have been working on the introduction of online ITCP recertification classes, which will be available in the near future.

This year, the NASSCO Trenchless Manual of Practice was peer-reviewed by volunteers throughout the industry, as well as the Water Environment Federation Collection System Committees.

The goal was to improve and update the manual, which provides a baseline reference for a wide range of trenchless technologies for municipal managers and engineers, contractors and consultants. The manual provides basic information from asset management to assessment, to design and rehabilitation.

NASSCO is also working with the American Society of Civil Engineers/Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute to update the ASCE Manual of Practice 92, which focuses on manhole inspection and re-habilitation. NASSCO’s collaboration with organizations, such as WEF and ASCE, result in resources that are fully vetted and beneficial for the entire industry.

Finally, in the first half of 2017, NASSCO’s Sewer History Exhibit has been on the road, sharing our rich history and heritage with audiences across the country. The exhibit was displayed at the Underground Construction Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, in January; at the Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show in Indianapolis in February; and the ASCE/UESI Pipelines Conference in Phoenix this month. The exhibit is also available for smaller, regional conferences.

To learn more about sponsoring NASSCO’s Sewer History Exhibit or bringing it to your town, contact us at info@nassco.org or call 410/442-PIPE (7473).