Lobbying, Locating &

Learning– A NOWRA

Update

Eric Casey

NOWRA Executive Directorwecasey@nowra.org; 800-966-2942

CPOW 2016 Annual Education Conference

January 21, 2016

Today’s Presentation

• Brief NOWRA overview

• Programs

– Advocacy effort

– Education and Training

– Communication vehicles

– Membership services

Who is NOWRA?

• The largest U.S. organization devoted

exclusively to supporting members of the

onsite and decentralized industry

• Founded 1991

• Represent all segments of industry– Contractors

– Service Providers

– Designers & Engineers

– Regulators

– Academics

– Manufacturers

NOWRA Mission

• Advance the science and technology of

onsite/decentralized wastewater treatment

systems

• Increase industry professionalism through

education and training

• Represent the interests of the industry before

Congress, federal agencies and other groups

• Increase public understanding of onsite

wastewater treatment

Map of NOWRA Affiliate

States• AzOWRA

(Arizona)

• COWRA (Carolinas)

• CPOW (Colorado)

• DOWRA (Delaware)

• FOWA (Florida)

• IOWWA (Iowa)

• KSFA (Kansas)

• MAOWP

• (Mass & RI)

• MOWPA (Maryland)

• MOWRA (Michigan)

• MnOWA(Minnesota)

• MSO (Missouri)

• NmOWA (New Mexico)

• OWAI (Idaho)

• POWRA-NM (New Mexico)

• POWRA (Pennsylvania)

• TOWA (Tenn)

• UOWA (Utah)

• VOWRA (Virginia)

• WOSSA (Washington)

• WOWRA & WPCA (Wisconsin)

Advocacy Effort -- Making Our

Case in Washington• 2014 marked the shift from words to action

• Core group of companies agreed to fund

an advocacy campaign for our industry

• Additional contributors stepped forward

when asked

• Interviewed and selected lobbyist to

represent our interest

• NOWRA’s advocacy effort was born

Lobbying Board of Governors

• Advanced Drainage

Systems

• Bio-Microbics, Inc.

• Consolidated Treatment

Systems

• Infiltrator Systems, Inc.

• Jet, Inc.

• Kansas Small Flows

Association

• Norweco, Inc.

• Presby Environmental

• Roth Global Plastics

• Salcor, Inc.

• SJE Rhombus

Plus:

Septic Systems Express

Crews Environmental

Lobbing Objectives1. Secure a larger share of existing

federal funding for wastewater

treatment

2. Increase market share for new

construction using

onsite/decentralized technologies

3. Get EPA to change policies within

the agency which discriminate

against our industry

A balanced approach to

advocacy• Congressional action

• Federal Regulatory action

• Building Alliances

• State Advocacy

2014-15 Legislative activities

• Focus on committees that matter

– Transportation & Infrastructure

– Appropriations

• Testimony

• Visits to Congressional offices

• Educational/advocacy events

• Cultivating relationships with

committee chairs and key staff

July 2014

Education/Advocacy Event

2106 Legislative Action

New lobbying team –– Polsinelli Public Policy Practice

– Led by Alan Wheat (former Congressman)

Decentralized Wastewater Caucus

More emphasis on White House

Tighter messaging to key committees

Action with Federal

Regulators• SRF Funding – expanded uses of SRF

funds for onsite wastewater projects

• EPA-Industry Partnership

• Discussions on the future of (and need for)

the Decentralized Wastewater program

• Chesapeake Bay and national data

sharing initiatives

• More efforts to engage White House

Action on Industry Relations

• Building alliances with whales

– NAHB, NAR

• Big pipe thought leaders

– US Water Alliance/

– WEF/WERF/AWWA/NACWA/WateReuse

– Johnson Foundation/

– SFPUC

Industry Relations

• April – NOWRA participates in Water

Week

Supporting State Advocacy

• Develop capacity to influence legislation in state

capitol.

• Support national advocacy efforts

• Grassroots engagement

– Advocacy workshop at NOWRA Annual Conference

– State Lobbying Toolkit

– Muster legislative

contact software

But Wait! There’s More!

Make a Bet on Reno in 2016!

Plan to join your colleagues from NOWRA, NAWT, FOWA (Florida Onsite Wastewater

Association) and Western State Organizations for the 2016 Onsite Wastewater

Mega-Conference, October 26-29, 2016 at The Nugget Hotel and Resort, Reno NV .

2016 Mega Conference

• Track for business owners

• Vendor training rooms

• Field trips

• 300-400 attendees

• 40 exhibitors

Training Options

• NOWRA Installer Academy

– 8 courses

• Advanced Design Training

• Online training pilot course developed

jointly with MSO

Communication Vehicles

• Onsite Journal

• Website Resources

• NOWRA E-News

Membership Services

• For Individual Members

– Homeowner Financing

– Errors & Omissions Insurance

– Discounts on Office Supplies, Equipment

Financing

– Septic Locator

Thanks for your

time!For More Information

www.nowra.org

National Onsite Wastewater Recycling

Association

1199 N. Fairfax St, Suite 410

Alexandria, VA 22314

800.966.2942