New Law Requires Certification to Perform On-site Wastewater Treatment Work
Beginning Jan. 1, 2004, a new Nebraska law allows only certified professionals or Nebraska-licensed professional engineers to perform work on on-site wastewater treatment systems (septic systems and individual lagoons). There is a concern that failing septic systems are having a negative impact on the environment and creating potentially harmful health conditions. This legislation will protect public health and the environment by authorizing development of a certification system so that people in the industry have, and demonstrate, the knowledge base necessary to minimize risks.
This NebFact discusses what this law will cover for Nebraska\u27s people and the environment

Hygnstrom, Janet R.

Skipton, Sharon

Woldt, Wayne

English

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Extension 2003 NF03-589 New Onsite Wastewater Treatment Law Protects Nebraska's People and Environment Janet R. Hygnstrom University of Nebraska - Lincoln, jhygnstrom1@unl.edu Sharon Skipton University of Nebraska - Lincoln, sskipton1@unl.edu Wayne Woldt University of Nebraska - Lincoln, wwoldt1@unl.edu Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist  Part of the Agriculture Commons, and the Curriculum and Instruction Commons Hygnstrom, Janet R.; Skipton, Sharon; and Woldt, Wayne, "NF03-589 New Onsite Wastewater Treatment Law Protects Nebraska's People and Environment" (2003). Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. 1799. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist/1799 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Extension at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. D-11NF589New Onsite Wastewater Treatment LawProtects Nebraska’s Peopleand EnvironmentBy Jan Hygnstrom, Project ManagerSharon Skipton, Extension EducatorWayne Woldt, Extension SpecialistNew Law Requires Certification to Perform On-siteWastewater Treatment WorkBeginning Jan. 1, 2004, a new Nebraska law allows onlycertified professionals or Nebraska-licensed professionalengineers to perform work on on-site wastewater treatmentsystems (septic systems and individual lagoons). There is aconcern that failing septic systems are having a negativeimpact on the environment and creating potentially harmfulhealth conditions. This legislation will protect public healthand the environment by authorizing development of a certi-fication system so that people in the industry have, anddemonstrate, the knowledge base necessary to minimize risks.The law, known as the Private On-site Wastewater Treat-ment System Contractors Certification and System Registra-tion Act, requires that anyone who sites, lays out, constructs,reconstructs, alters, modifies, repairs, inspects or pumps on-site wastewater treatment systems must register with theNebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) tobecome certified to perform such work.While that certification system is being developed, indi-viduals who work with on-site wastewater treatment systemsmust apply to receive temporary provisional certification.They must submit to the NDEQ:• A properly completed application form,• $300 fee for temporary provisional certification, and• A properly completed and notarized affidavit of expe-rience.Upon successful completion of the certification process,the applicant will receive a temporary provisional certificate.This authorizes the applicant to perform on-site wastewatertreatment system services in the range of his/her experience.Temporary provisional certification is effective through Dec.31, 2005.Provisional certificates will be issued for the followingcategories of on-site wastewater system experience:• Installer (includes alteration, construction, recon-struction, modification, or repair work);• Site Evaluator (includes percolation testing);• Layout Specialist;• Pumper; and• Inspector.The provisional certification process is just the first stepin implementing a comprehensive certification program autho-rized by the new law. Additional regulations are being devel-oped that will outline a full certification program that mayrequire proof of competency to qualify for certification afterexpiration of the provisional certification.Beginning Jan. 1, 2004, only professional engineers orpersons certified by NDEQ, or persons supervised by a certi-fied professional, legally can do the following types of workwith on-site wastewater treatment systems:• Siting• Site evaluation• Layout• Sizing• Construction• Reconstruction• Alteration• Modification• Percolation testingFile under: WASTE MANAGEMENTD-11, Home Waste SystemsIssued December 2003Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Countiesand the United States Department of Agriculture.University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincolnand the United States Department of Agriculture.© 2005, The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska on behalf of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension.  All rights reserved.• Soil evaluation• Repair• Inspection• PumpingHomeowners must be certified to do any of the activitieslisted above.Certified Professionals Must Register On-SiteWastewater Treatment SystemsEffective Jan. 1, 2004, it is the responsibility of the certifiedprofessional or professional engineer who conducts con-struction, reconstruction, alteration, modification, or inspec-tions, to properly register the private on-site wastewatertreatment system with the NDEQ. Existing systems that areonly pumped or repaired do not have to be registered.System registration must be completed within 45 days ofwork completion. To register a private on-site wastewatertreatment system, the certified professional or professionalengineer must submit the following to NDEQ:• A properly completed registration form, and• $50 system registration fee.More Information About CertificationFor the period from Jan. 1, 2004 to Dec. 31, 2005, on-sitewastewater treatment system professionals may apply fortemporary provisional certification to authorize the profes-sional to perform services with which they have experience.If an on-site wastewater treatment system professionallacks the required experience to receive temporary provisionalcertification, contact NDEQ to discuss available options.This information was adapted from On-Site WastewaterTreatment Systems: New Requirements, Nebraska Depart-ment of Environmental Quality, Wastewater Technical Assis-tance Unit. For more information, or to obtain temporaryprovisional certification application forms, call NDEQ’sWastewater Technical Assistance Unit at (402) 471-2186 or(877) 253-2603. Application forms may be downloaded fromhttp://www.deq.state.ne.us

NF03-589 New Onsite Wastewater Treatment Law Protects Nebraska\u27s People and Environment

UNL | Libraries

University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
Historical Materials from University of 
Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Extension 
2003 
NF03-589 New Onsite Wastewater Treatment Law Protects 
Nebraska's People and Environment 
Janet R. Hygnstrom 
University of Nebraska - Lincoln, jhygnstrom1@unl.edu 
Sharon Skipton 
University of Nebraska - Lincoln, sskipton1@unl.edu 
Wayne Woldt 
University of Nebraska - Lincoln, wwoldt1@unl.edu 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist 
 Part of the Agriculture Commons, and the Curriculum and Instruction Commons 
Hygnstrom, Janet R.; Skipton, Sharon; and Woldt, Wayne, "NF03-589 New Onsite Wastewater Treatment 
Law Protects Nebraska's People and Environment" (2003). Historical Materials from University of 
Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. 1799. 
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist/1799 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Extension at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - 
Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension by an 
authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 
D-11
NF589
New Onsite Wastewater Treatment Law
Protects Nebraska’s People
and Environment
By Jan Hygnstrom, Project Manager
Sharon Skipton, Extension Educator
Wayne Woldt, Extension Specialist
New Law Requires Certification to Perform On-site
Wastewater Treatment Work
Beginning Jan. 1, 2004, a new Nebraska law allows only
certified professionals or Nebraska-licensed professional
engineers to perform work on on-site wastewater treatment
systems (septic systems and individual lagoons). There is a
concern that failing septic systems are having a negative
impact on the environment and creating potentially harmful
health conditions. This legislation will protect public health
and the environment by authorizing development of a certi-
fication system so that people in the industry have, and
demonstrate, the knowledge base necessary to minimize risks.
The law, known as the Private On-site Wastewater Treat-
ment System Contractors Certification and System Registra-
tion Act, requires that anyone who sites, lays out, constructs,
reconstructs, alters, modifies, repairs, inspects or pumps on-
site wastewater treatment systems must register with the
Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) to
become certified to perform such work.
While that certification system is being developed, indi-
viduals who work with on-site wastewater treatment systems
must apply to receive temporary provisional certification.
They must submit to the NDEQ:
• A properly completed application form,
• $300 fee for temporary provisional certification, and
• A properly completed and notarized affidavit of expe-
rience.
Upon successful completion of the certification process,
the applicant will receive a temporary provisional certificate.
This authorizes the applicant to perform on-site wastewater
treatment system services in the range of his/her experience.
Temporary provisional certification is effective through Dec.
31, 2005.
Provisional certificates will be issued for the following
categories of on-site wastewater system experience:
• Installer (includes alteration, construction, recon-
struction, modification, or repair work);
• Site Evaluator (includes percolation testing);
• Layout Specialist;
• Pumper; and
• Inspector.
The provisional certification process is just the first step
in implementing a comprehensive certification program autho-
rized by the new law. Additional regulations are being devel-
oped that will outline a full certification program that may
require proof of competency to qualify for certification after
expiration of the provisional certification.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2004, only professional engineers or
persons certified by NDEQ, or persons supervised by a certi-
fied professional, legally can do the following types of work
with on-site wastewater treatment systems:
• Siting
• Site evaluation
• Layout
• Sizing
• Construction
• Reconstruction
• Alteration
• Modification
• Percolation testing
File under: WASTE MANAGEMENT
D-11, Home Waste Systems
Issued December 2003
Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties
and the United States Department of Agriculture.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
and the United States Department of Agriculture.
© 2005, The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska on behalf of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension.  All rights reserved.
• Soil evaluation
• Repair
• Inspection
• Pumping
Homeowners must be certified to do any of the activities
listed above.
Certified Professionals Must Register On-Site
Wastewater Treatment Systems
Effective Jan. 1, 2004, it is the responsibility of the certified
professional or professional engineer who conducts con-
struction, reconstruction, alteration, modification, or inspec-
tions, to properly register the private on-site wastewater
treatment system with the NDEQ. Existing systems that are
only pumped or repaired do not have to be registered.
System registration must be completed within 45 days of
work completion. To register a private on-site wastewater
treatment system, the certified professional or professional
engineer must submit the following to NDEQ:
• A properly completed registration form, and
• $50 system registration fee.
More Information About Certification
For the period from Jan. 1, 2004 to Dec. 31, 2005, on-site
wastewater treatment system professionals may apply for
temporary provisional certification to authorize the profes-
sional to perform services with which they have experience.
If an on-site wastewater treatment system professional
lacks the required experience to receive temporary provisional
certification, contact NDEQ to discuss available options.
This information was adapted from On-Site Wastewater
Treatment Systems: New Requirements, Nebraska Depart-
ment of Environmental Quality, Wastewater Technical Assis-
tance Unit. For more information, or to obtain temporary
provisional certification application forms, call NDEQ’s
Wastewater Technical Assistance Unit at (402) 471-2186 or
(877) 253-2603. Application forms may be downloaded from
http://www.deq.state.ne.us


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NF03-589 New Onsite Wastewater Treatment Law Protects Nebraska\u27s People and Environment

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