Alberta Onsite Wastewater Management Association (AOWMA)

For those of us involved in the septic industry, AOWMA is our go to source for information. The Alberta Onsite Wastewater Management Association (AOWMA) is the provincial not-for profit organization established to educate, train and certify industry professionals. The association engages its member - installers, septage haulers, suppliers and municipalities and provincial government departments to arrive at sound practices that strengthen the industry, and ensure safe and effective septage management for all rural Alberta.

Every year AOWMA has trainers delivering multiple training sessions to prepare those that are new to the industry so they can write the required exam to apply for their Certificate of Competency. Every installer in Alberta requires this certificate in order to apply for a private sewage treatment permit.

AOWMA also rolls out the Septic Sense Program. This is a program geared to landowners that require septic system. It does not go into how to design and install a system but rather gives the landowners and county staff and councillors a broad overview of what is required and how systems work.

But it should be noted that AOWMA is not just for the industry. The association has help lines for the general public as well. If you have a question or concern, the ladies at our office in Edmonton will help you with an answer or point you in the right direction to find an answer. If you are not sure if the people you are thinking of dealing with for your septic treatment system are properly certified by Municipal Affairs or if they are members of AOWMA, give the office a call. While it is not mandatory that that certified installers are members of the AOWMA, selecting a member for your design and install means you are probably picking an individual who wants to stay up to date with legislation and technologies pertaining to the industry. If the individual is not interested in staying involve through the association, what are the chances they are going to provide the best service possible to you their client?

As a Director of the Alberta Onsite Waste Management Association, I would be happy to assist the public or other installers in any way possible. If you have concerns about AOWMA or your have suggestions, please drop me a note.
aftertheflush@hotmail.com Anything that we can do to move the septic industry toward full treatment of effluents, the better it will be for everyone.