This month marks the end of NASSCO’s 2023/2024 fiscal year, so I thought it would be a great time to share some of the association’s major accomplishments over the past 12 months. 

NASSCO’s mission is to set standards for the assessment, maintenance and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure and to ensure the continued acceptance and growth of trenchless technologies. Our vision — to build awareness of aging underground infrastructure and to provide viable solutions through education, technical resources and industry advocacy — is the foundation for NASSCO’s ongoing objectives:

• Grow NASSCO’s training and education programs.

• Expand NASSCO’s library of technical resources.

• Advocate for the underground infrastructure industry.

Here I will focus on accomplishments made by our board, staff, members, Technical Advisory Council and trainers in achieving objective No. 1: training and education.

The January 2024 launch of Version 8 of NASSCO’s Pipeline Assessment Certification Program was the culmination of years of dedicated work by NASSCO member volunteers, staff and consultants. NASSCO members concurrently worked throughout the year to develop Version 5 of the Inspector Trainer Certification Program for CIPP.  This program will launch this summer.

Based on demand for the proper inspection of residential pipes during real estate transactions, NASSCO’S Lateral and Building Pipe Committee worked hard to develop a uniform inspection form and online course — specifically for plumbers and small contractors — called NASSCO’s Building Sewer and Drain Inspection Certification Program — or BSDI.

NASSCO’s Operations and Maintenance Committee worked on a parallel track to develop a new drain cleaning certification program. These new NASSCO certification programs — BSDI and Drain Cleaning — will launch later this year and can be bundled together for dual certification of inspection and cleaning. 

While most of NASSCO’s training courses are delivered online, the NASSCO Exchange events take education on the road. These one-day, in-person sessions include curriculum developed by NASSCO’s committee members and Technical Advisory Council. Free to municipalities, the events include PDH or CEU credits for all attendees. This year NASSCO member volunteers traveled to Exchange events in Boston, Detroit, Indianapolis and Albuquerque, New Mexico, with an inaugural event in Baltimore last May. 

Building on the foundation of NASSCO’s solid objectives and strategic plans, NASSCO’s board, staff, Technical Advisory Council, members and trainers made a major impact in 2023/2024. As we enter our next fiscal year starting July 1, we look forward to setting new strategies to build upon these objectives. 

To learn more about NASSCO and to become part of our dynamic committees, visit nassco.org/join.

About the Author

Sheila Joy is executive director of NASSCO. She can be reached at director@nassco.org.