Welcome to our Web site

COWA is California's voice for the onsite wastewater profession. COWA promotes environmentally and economically sound onsite wastewater technology and management practices. COWA serves both the public and private sectors of its membership by providing technical updates, training, networking opportunities, and advocacy for best management/industry practices.

Important News!!! COWA Approved Accrediting Agency for REHS CEU Program

The California Onsite Wastewater Association is very pleased to announce that we have been approved by the California Department of Public Health as an Accrediting Agency for the REHS CEU program.  Beginning with our upcoming Science of Soils class in May, and continuing with our other trainings, we will be offering Continuation Education Credits now required for all Registered Environmental Health Specialists.  This represents another significant step in our goal to provide value to our members as well as the industry as a whole.  Check out our Education page for a complete schedule of training opportunities or to register for a course.

Mark Adams
President

President's Message

2009 was a challenging year for everyone including COWA. But the outlook for 2010 is pretty optimistic. We finished off this last year with strong attendance at all of our training sessions and increasing demands for training in this new year. Shortly we’ll be publishing a full calendar of training opportunities to serve the state and we’re working to qualify our coursework for Continuing Education Credits to provide more value to our members. The AB885 process is still moving along and this may be the year that we see statewide minimum standards for onsite wastewater systems. COWA is still engaged in this process as “THE” organization that truly represents the onsite wastewater industry in this state. COWA will be updating our members with the latest information on AB885 and is committed to keeping you up-to-date on any and all issues that impact our industry, including operator certification and graywater – to name just a couple. Right now we’re planning for our annual conference tentatively scheduled for late fall. Our goal with the conference is to provide exceptional content at an affordable cost. In addition, members should expect to see regular updates on issues that affect our industry as well as opportunities for training and education.


COWA is financially secure but your membership is important. It is important financially as it allows the organization to continue to provide the necessary education and training opportunities, information, representation, etc. But it’s also important to show others that our real strength is in the individuals, companies, agencies, and organizations that make up the onsite wastewater industry within this state.

So please take a moment to become a member. Click here for membership.

Mark Adams
COWA President

Membership in COWA has many benefits, including:

• News and information through email updates, quarterly members meetings, bi-annual newsletters, and the website.
• Education and Training topics cover inspection, operations and maintenance, basics of on onsite systems, and the science of onsite systems, plus all new sessions for 2009 (see our Education and Training page)
• Technical information so you can find out about new technologies suitable for onsite treatment and disposal.
• Valuable time spent with colleagues at members’ meetings, trainings, and conferences.
• The latest updates on AB 885, gray water, and operator regulations for 2009

Join or renew today to get the latest on AB 885, gray water, and operator regulations for 2009! Click here to join or renew your membership.

Read the Winter/Spring COWA Magazine 2008

OWTS Training & Education Click here for Education page