Staying competitive in the wastewater industry requires more than just keeping up with regulation requirements and day-to-day operation demands. To really make your mark, you need to commit to continuous learning and skill advancement — no matter how long you’ve been on the job.
The WEQ Fair 2026 education program offers wastewater contractors, technicians and business owners expert-led, hands-on training designed to drive immediate business value.
The education sessions take place Oct. 5-6 in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Hilton Garden Inn Nashville Downtown/Convention Center. Attendee registration for the WEQ Fair exhibit hall is free when you register for an education session, giving you full access to over 70 manufacturers, live outdoor demonstrations, and networking events like the Pumper & Cleaner Expo 45th Anniversary Reunion Celebration on Oct. 6 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Earn NAWT Inspection Certification, giving your business a competitive edge and assuring customers of standardized, high-quality inspection services.
- Master essential, practical skills in vacuum truck operation, daily maintenance, safety standards, and pumpout procedures to maximize efficiency and reduce downtime.
- Discover how to evaluate, plan and understand the economics of operating your own waste treatment facility.
- Learn directly from industry leaders Tom Ferrero, Kim Seipp and Jeff Rachlin on navigating compliance, documentation, technical standards and much more.
Explore the expert-led courses offered at this year's event below:
Monday, Oct. 5 – Classroom 1: Waste Treatment Symposium
Presented by Tom Ferrero
This one-day training will cover how to evaluate whether a treatment facility makes sense for your business; what financial institutions are going to look for when you seek a loan; what regulators are going to need; and how to select an engineer when the time comes to put your plan on paper. You will learn about treatment processes, review case histories from successful facilities, and develop an understanding of the economics of a treatment facility.
Monday, Oct. 5 – Classroom 2: NAWT Inspection Standards Certification Course (Day 1)
Presented by Kim Seipp
This two-day, in-depth training program provides the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to conduct thorough, standardized inspections based on the NAWT national standards.
Participants will learn to perform inspections for key applications, including transfer of title, operations and maintenance, and regulatory compliance. Emphasis is placed on using standardized procedures to evaluate each system component, interpret findings, and arrive at defensible conclusions about the condition and functionality of the system. Through guided instruction and hands-on exercises, attendees will gain the ability to identify deficiencies, document inspections accurately, and communicate results effectively.
Tuesday, Oct. 6 – Classroom 2: NAWT Inspection Standards Certification Course (Day 2)
Presented by Kim Seipp
This two-day, in-depth training program provides the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to conduct thorough, standardized inspections based on the NAWT national standards.
The training concludes with a comprehensive exam, and those who pass will earn NAWT certification — an industry-recognized credential that affirms a technician’s ability to conduct consistent, code-compliant, and reliable inspections.
Tuesday, Oct. 6 – Classroom 1: NAWT Vacuum Truck Training Technician Training Course
Presented by Jeff Rachlin
This one-day course provides new and experienced technicians alike with a solid base of information regarding working with and operating a vacuum truck, along with performing daily tasks. Topics include materials to pump and to avoid, government regulations, truck equipment and components, drive and control mechanisms, basic and advanced pumpout skills and procedures, loading and unloading, safety and emergency response plans, customer interaction and education, basic science of vacuum and pressurization, pumps, basic pump truck operations, and manifests and reporting.
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