Set aside Saturday, 10/21/06, for some training and fun as NACHI’s Joe Farsetta comes to St. Louis.
Joe will be providing an exclusive opportunity to be among the first to become a “Certified Well Sampler”](http://www.monachi.org/?D=17) through his comprehensive seminar.
The training will begin at 8:30 a.m., following a continental breakfast and a meet and greet with Joe, and will last until 4:00 p.m.
The training will be held at the Holiday Inn Select in St. Peters, MO., where our previous meetings have been held.
As always, this training is free to all members of NACHI and $100 to all non-members, with the fee applicable toward NACHI membership if you decide to join.
Come prepared to learn and to make additional dollars by adding this much needed service to your inspections.
James, is this recognized by MO DHSS as certification to perform real estate well samplings? I hope so, because DHSS wants $350 for a combined septic & well inspection course.
Dave,
Who teaches this course?
Missouri Department of Health, in Columbia at the College Farm
Where do we sign up our chapter to host this class?
The sooner the better here in Michigan, I’m sure.
Dave,
I scoured many of Missouri’s government sites, as well as its cooperative extension, learning centers, State University, and its DHSS.
There IS a program of certification offered by the state for licensure, but as far as I can tell, it pertains SPECIFICALLY, and is apparently limited to, the evaluation and inspection of on-site wastewater systems. The course has little to do with well sampling, and doesnt mention it in any title (name).
Here’s the information on the course. And the $350 version has a pre-requesite which costs an additional $250…
The inspector’s course concentrates on wastewater, with a minor on well construction and water tracing. The basic and advanced installer courses dont really touch on wells at all.
Professional Registration Courses
**Onsite Sewage **
- Basic Registered Installers Course
- Advanced Registered Installers Course
- Licensed Onsite System Inspectors/Evaluators Course
-
Percolation Tester Registration Training Course
DHSS Onsite Sewage Program - Basic OWTS Installers Course
Location: University of Missouri Bradford Farms, 4968 Rangeline Rd., Columbia, Missouri, or Rickman Center, 3519 Bennett Lane, Jefferson City, Missouri
Pre-registration fee - $250.00
Classes are limited to 35 - 50 participants
This two-day training course is for individuals to become registered as basic onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) installers with the state of Missouri. Classes are held as needed, based on demand and are conducted by staff of the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the University of Missouri. Subjects covered include health and safety issues, the onsite sewage laws and rules, the permit process, soils, math, and conventional onsite systems. The operation of construction equipment will not be covered.
University of Missouri Licensed Onsite System Inspectors/Evaluators Course
Location: University of Missouri Bradford Farms, Columbia, Missouri
Pre-registration fee - $350.00
Classes are limited to 35 participants (minimum 20)
Prerequisite: successful completion of the Registered Installers course
This two-day course is designed for individuals to ***become licensed to conduct third party assessments of existing onsite sewage systems related to real estate sales. ***Classes are held about four times per year and are conducted by staff of the University of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Subjects covered include health and safety issues, well construction, water tracing, math, system function and detailed inspection forms.
I believe that this is the course you are referring to,as I can find no other even close to anything that refers to well water samples and testing anywhere, on any site, as it pertains to licensure and training in the art. I cant find where the law requires a license to sample and conduct well water tests. All I see always refers back to this on-site wastewater inspector. Inspecting the septic system is one thing. Knowing how and whywells work, how they can get contaminated, the effects of those contaminents on people, and how to sample is something entirely different.
I will follow up in themorning with the folks in Missouri’s DHSS and DNR for further clarification.
Joe Farsetta,
What Training and/or Certifications do you possess to be considered an Expert in Well Water Sampling/Protocols?
Joe H,
Some background first…
The course was assembled with the assistance of several health departments, including information provided by the Westchester County Department of Labs and Environmental Research, a governmental agency.
Other data and general information was gathered through interviews with well drillers, and well pumping companies. Still other data was reviewed and included, provided through UL, the EPA, and various regional sources throughout the US, including State and Local Departments of Health.
As to certifications, none existed prior to this. Our local law, which required any person gathering well water samples to be a certified sampler of the lab, prompted much discussion, as no such “certifications” actually existed prior to this. Believe it or not, the law enacted here in Rockland, also applies to the DOH, and technically prohibits them from gathering samples to be used for well certifications unless they are “certified samplers of the lab”. As they have no lab of their own, the law complicated how they operate. Westchester County DOH has the lab, but wont sample here in Rockland because there was no well sampler certification program offered. As hard as it is to believe, it is true.
So, the course was developed to fill a needed void. As to experience, I have been doing well sampling and evaluations for the past 4 years in this region. Protocols are fairly standard, depending on the types of analysis/testing performed. Some are tweeked by the particular lab being utilized. As to chain of custody issues, the sampler should have a formal and specific protocol for the documentation, handling, and transport of the sample.
Training / expertise comes from years of dealing with labs, health orgs, drillers, and pumping companies, from my providing the service to the general public, and through ongoing reading/research on the subject.
I hope this answered your question.
I’m bringing the course to the Pittsburgh area, if you are interested in attending.
Great news from the State of Missouri DHSS this morning.
For clarification, anyone performing a SEPTIC inspection needs to be licensed. Anyone can perform a well water test.
DHSS asked me to submit my course to them for possible CE credits for licensed septic inspectors, who also perform well testing.
Outstanding, Joe. Thanks for the clarification.
More news on this course…
Although there is no final word, yet, the Missouri Deparment of Health and Senior Services (who licenses inspectors for septic systems and waste water) has asked for the opportunity to review this course for possibly providing CEUs to licensees who attend. They have also suggested review by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for inclusion in their programs, as well.
Missouri government shares EPA concerns for the safety of its private well water and appears anxious to have this program available for its citizens.
I will be publishing, in a variety of area media, the need for this service and the benefit to Missourians who contract the services of a NACHI Certified Well Water specialist.
Hope to see you there.
No interest and/or need to attend.