stewards of environment
Membership
The Saskatchewan Onsite Wastewater Management Association (SOWMA) was incorporated in 2008 with the mission to protect the health and safety of those living in Saskatchewan by improving the training, certification, design and installation practices within the private sewage industry.
SOWMA is a provincial chapter of the Western Canada Onsite Wastewater Management Association (WCOWMA).
History
With the increase in population density, changing government regulations and new technology, the installers of onsite sewage disposal systems have increasingly felt a need to address industry concerns. These concerns include training, representation to government at all levels, and the preservation of the environment.
The Association, under the direction of its provincial chapters offers a program of training which is recognized across Canada as meeting or exceeding the requirements of the Agreement on Internal Trade and the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement.
SOWMA members focus on strengthening and shaping the onsite wastewater industry through their role as important stewards of the environment and key players in rural land use planning.
Membership is open to anyone with an interest in private sewage. Currently, the SOWMA holds contractors, installers, designers, suppliers, haulers, engineers, geoscientists, educators, inspectors, and regulators as members.
Benefits
WCOWMA members continue to strengthen and shape the onsite wastewater industry through their role as important stewards of the environment and key players in rural land use planning.
Representation Benefits
Setting the national standard for onsite training. Our training program is recognized throughout Canada as the premier onsite wastewater certification program.
Influencing provincial and municipal regulations. The SOWMA participates in a variety of stakeholder groups that provide input to policy makers when regulatory changes that impact the onsite wastewater are being considered. The SOWMA administration consults with local, regional, and provincial governing agencies providing information on onsite wastewater technologies and resources to help them build effective and sustainable wastewater treatment and disposal policies.
A key component of having a healthy and effective onsite industry is ensuring that homeowners have access to the information they need to make sound decisions regarding their onsite wastewater systems. The SOWMA provides that information to the general public, acting as a resource and providing referrals to our member professionals.
In order to maintain open lines of communication with our membership, SOWMA will continue to communicate through education days, notifications, social media, and direct communication.
Monthly newsletters are emailed or mailed out, keeping members abreast with advancements in the onsite industry.
Semi-annual industry magazine.
Business Benefits
Members are listed on our website directory in the regions in which they work. Homeowners utilize this directory service daily to locate contractors in their area.
The SOWMA regularly receives calls from homeowners requesting referrals to contractors in their region. The SOWMA only refers callers to SOWMA members.
Referrals and access to customized business insurance programs that provide those coverages not generally available through business insurance such as Errors and Omissions coverage and Pollution Liability.
Every company has an office to provide infrastructure to their business and every office uses business supplies. Through a partnership with Staples Advantage/Corporate Express, SOWMA members may take advantage of savings of 60% or more on stationery and shop supplies. Staples Advantage/Corporate Express delivers your order right to your door, saving you time. Even if your small office uses only $1000/year in supplies, a savings of 60% more than pays for your annual association membership fees.
You can save 10% on work clothes by presenting the wallet card included in your membership package at the till with your purchases from any Mark’s outlet.
Complimentary subscription to Onsite Installer Magazine.
We have partnered with two great companies, giving you options for soils testing. Take advantage of member discounts for soil sampling with either of the following companies: Down To Earth Labs (403-328-1133) or ALS Environmental Labs (306-668-8370)
- A Group Health Plan with Lane Quinn Benefit Consultants to help you with prescriptions, eyeglasses, dental, critical illnesses and other coverages you may require.
