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Onsite Wastewater Practitioner
Field Training/Workshops

Onsite Wastewater Practitioner Training (OWTS)

Build expertise and open the door to new opportunities in the onsite wastewater industry. Walk away with the technical knowledge, practical skills, and field experience required to work in the industry.

Why Choose This Program?
  • Start learning immediately with self-study modules upon registration
  • Engage with instructors during live, virtual training sessions
  • Hands-on field training ensures you apply what you’ve learned
  • Build practical skills you can apply immediately on the job
  • Nationally and provincially recognized certification through the New West Partnership Agreement and the Canadian Free Trade Agreement
About the Program

Part One – Start Learning Immediately

When you register, your program materials are accessible right away, so you can begin self-study immediately. This early preparation sets you up for success before moving into the next stage of training.

Part  Two – Learn From Experts in Real Time

Following your self-study, you’ll participate in eight days of scheduled online classes with experienced instructors. These live sessions give you the opportunity to ask questions, engage in discussions, and solidify your understanding of key principles.

Part Three – Apply Your Skills in the Field

Attend a Site & Soils Field Evaluation Workshop. This one-day, hands-on training allows you to put your knowledge into practice under the guidance of an industry professional. Offered during the installation season.

Who This Program Is For

Perfect for:

  • Contractors, landscapers & excavators expanding services
  • New entrants to the trades
  • Those wanting to level up to be a Safety Codes Officer, Private Sewage Inspector
  • Entrepreneurs starting a business
  • Homeowners wanting to design/install their own system

No prior experience required — just a willingness to learn!

What You’ll Learn
  • Site & soil evaluation
  • Designing onsite wastewater systems
  • Installing & maintaining septic systems
  • Inspecting & troubleshooting existing systems

Training Registration:

The OWTS Program Offers Ongoing Registration – START ANYTIME

Click to register - SOWMA OWTS Training
PROGRAM TUITION
  • Member: $4461.82
  • Non-Member: $5277.67

Includes GST, learning material, live training and field day.

view program Guide

Additional Provincial Chapter OWTS Training Opportunities:

View AOWMA OWTS Training*

*If training is taken in Saskatchewan, additional steps are required upon training completion to become certified in Alberta.

For questions, contact our office:

306-988-2102
1-855-872-2650

adrienne@wcowma.com

Meet The Trainers
Aleena Pawlik
Chris Seeley

Field Training / Workshops

Site & Soils Evaluation Field Days

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Mound Installation Demo

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installation field day workshop

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Maintenance Provider Parts I & II

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Virtual Classroom
New dates will be posted soon.
Check back regularly for updates.

Maintenance Provider Practical Two-Day Workshop

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Dates: 
March 19-20, 2026
Locations: 
Locations within the Chilliwack area of British Columbia are being confirmed

questions

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Aleena Pawlik

Aleena Pawlik has built a diverse and in-depth career in the onsite wastewater industry over the past 16 years. Beginning as Administrative Support with the Western Canada Onsite Wastewater Management Association (WCOWMA) from 2009 to 2014, she developed a strong foundation in the industry’s operations and completed her Certification Training in 2011 to deepen her technical understanding.

In 2014, Aleena moved to Saskatchewan, where she joined a tank manufacturer and treatment system distributor, expanding her knowledge of system components and technologies. Shortly after, she founded her own company specializing in onsite wastewater system design. Initially a sideline project, it has grown into a full-time business providing professional design services primarily throughout Saskatchewan.

Since 2020, Aleena has been an instructor with the Saskatchewan Onsite Wastewater Management Association (SOWMA) and the Manitoba Onsite Wastewater Management Association (MOWMA). In this role, she engages directly with students and leads them during the required Site and Soil Evaluation Field Day, combining technical instruction with hands-on field experience.

Aleena is an active member of the onsite wastewater community, regularly engaging with industry professionals and related sectors. She believes strongly that education is key to protecting the environment, property, and public health through proper wastewater management.

Beyond her professional life, Aleena enjoys learning new things, traveling to explore new places, tending to her “chaos garden,” and spending time at home with her boxer, Birdie.

Chris Seeley

Chris Seeley is a Professional Engineer with over 25 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. His career has focused on designing drinking water and wastewater systems, environmental monitoring, and managing complex construction projects.

While working with the provincial government, Chris was involved in the initial water program development that followed the North Battleford inquiry. He also addressed technical, policy, and regulatory issues for small drinking water systems, subdivision assessments, onsite sewage systems, swimming pools, and plumbing.

During his time at the Ministry of Health, Chris served as a primary author of the last two versions of the Saskatchewan Onsite Wastewater Disposal Guide. In the municipal sector, he gained experience in drinking water, wastewater, and construction management.

Chris has been an instructor with the WCOWMA for more than 10 years, and when time allows, he continues to design onsite wastewater treatment systems.

Site & Soils Evaluation Field Days

This practical training day is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience evaluating a site, as well as practicing hand texturing and sampling. Installers who have recently completed the Onsite Wastewater Practitioner Training Program will be able to take their new knowledge and apply it on-site. Experienced designers and installers should also consider this opportunity to continue their education.

Dates to be Announced 

Mound Installation Field Day

Mound Installation Field Days provide instruction for those interested in learning more about designing and installing mounds. Registrants participating in this training session will focus on the following outcomes:

  1. Understand the basic principles of how mounds work – treatment in sand layer and dispersal horizontally. Apply soil evaluation information. Understand ground water mounding.
  2. Learn mound design configurations and materials; sand layer, fill, gravel, chambers.
  3. Basic knowledge of utilizing topography of installation site.
  4. Know factors in locating the mound – slope vs. level, clearance separations, vertical separations, fill materials for raised bed.
  5. Ability to build pressure distribution laterals for mound, orientation of orifices, spacing, etc.
  6. Ability to assist with preparation of basal area (soil interface).
  7. Ability to assist with construction of sand layer, pressure distribution system, chamber placement, berm placement and all other aspects of mound construction.
  8. This will be a complete mound installation in the field.

Dates to be Announced

Upon receipt of your completed registration form, you will be sent the information on the location of the training site along with any other information required.

Installation Field Day Workshop

Installation Field Days provide new and experienced installers with the opportunity to learn new techniques and installation practices.  Field days may be offered for systems such as subsurface trench systems either gravity or pressure distribution, LFH At-Grades, or even something as simple as an open discharge (surface discharge or jet) depending on the site and soils available and the regulatory framework.

Dates to be Announced 

Maintenance Provider Parts I & II

WCOWMA is partnering with WCOWMA-BC to offer a four-day virtual training program designed to help maintenance providers expand their knowledge and certification in onsite wastewater system operations.

This highly recognized training program is divided into two parts.

It is geared towards those with prior knowledge of onsite wastewater treatment systems and who wish to expand upon existing knowledge to provide more comprehensive maintenance services.

Part 1 – Introduction to Operation and Maintenance

Participants will learn about:

  • Business aspects of operation and maintenance including: site safety, contracts, and tools of the trade
  • Maintenance assessments and troubleshooting issues of conventional systems, including trenches, beds, mounds, and at-grades
  • Introduction to aerobic tank system

Part 2 – Advanced Operation and Maintenance

Participants will build upon Part 1 concepts and expand their scope to include maintenance and troubleshooting for:

  • Aerobic Treatment Systems
  • Drip irrigation
  • Single-pass and re-circulating media filters
  • Various dosing schematics working with control panels
  • Business Practice Review for Maintenance Providers

Each part concludes with an exam to evaluate understanding and certify successful completion. Registration includes all 4 days.

Certification

  • Earn your Maintenance Provider Certificate after completing all 4 days

Recognition and Listing

  • Gain visibility on the WCOWMA Locate-a-Pro webpage, connecting you directly with homeowners looking for certified Maintenance Practitioners
  • Position yourself as the go-to expert in onsite wastewater system operations and maintenance in your area
  • Apply for your Maintenance Provider ROWP Stamp with ASTTBC if you ever plan to work in BC
Registration is Now Closed

Dates to be Announced

Maintenance Provider Practical two-Day Workshop

This two-day workshop will focus on the assessment, maintenance, and repair of onsite wastewater systems. Prior to the two days of practical training in the field, students will participate in a webinar to review the maintenance requirements in the SPM, along with ASTTBC’s practice guidelines for Maintenance Provider. Following the two days of practical training in the field, students will participate in a webinar to review proper maintenance assessment reports.

Five onsite wastewater systems will be assessed, and recommendations for maintenance and repair provided to the homeowner. These five systems will include both Type 1 and Type 2 gravity, Type 2 pressure and potentially a Type 3 system.

Students will be able to use this training toward needed experience quotas, and/or professional development credits. 

Course Outcomes

  • Review of the maintenance requirements under the Sewerage System Regulation – webinar
  • Review of the maintenance requirements of the Standard Practice Manual – webinar
  • Overview of the reporting documentation for maintenance inspection – webinar
  • Maintenance processes and procedures for Type 1, 2 & 3 systems – practical field training
Claim Your Spot Now!

Dates:

March 19-20, 2026

Time:

8:30-4:30

Site Locations:

Locations within the Chilliwack area of British Columbia are being confirmed. Students will travel to and from nearby sites throughout the day.
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