Registration is now open for the 2026 NOWRA Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference, taking place October 25–28, 2026, in Westminster, Colorado.
This year’s theme, “Peak to Plains: Elevating the Future of Wastewater,” is especially fitting for a conference that will bring onsite wastewater professionals from across the country together for several days of education, networking, technology and some pretty spectacular Colorado scenery.
The Mega-Conference is a collaborative effort of the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA), National Association of Wastewater Technicians (NAWT), State Onsite Regulators Association (SORA), and this year’s state affiliate partner, Colorado Professionals in Onsite Wastewater (CPOW).
Plenty to See and Do
The Mega-Conference will feature dozens of technical and management sessions, opportunities to earn continuing education credits, a busy Expo Hall featuring national and local companies, the always-popular Backhoe Roe-D-Hoe, and poster competitions for emerging professionals.
Attendees can also arrive early on Sunday, October 25, for the Emerging Professionals Cornhole Tournament, which raises funds for NOWRA’s Emerging Professionals Scholarship Fund.
But one of this year’s highlights may be what happens after the regular conference sessions end.
Take Your Pick: Mountains or Metro
Two optional full-day field trips are scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, and both offer opportunities to see wastewater systems and technologies that we don’t often encounter here in the Northeast.
The Mountains Field Trip heads into the Colorado Rockies to explore several unique wastewater systems, beginning with a tour of the onsite system at the iconic Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre. From there, participants will visit the Idaho Springs Water Reclamation Facility to learn about its Activated Granular Sludge treatment process and then travel to the Mount Blue Sky Outdoor Education Lab to tour a commercial treatment system incorporating advanced treatment and nutrient removal.
The Metro/Front Range Field Trip focuses on innovative water and wastewater treatment in the Denver area. Stops include South Platte Renew, which treats nearly 20 million gallons of wastewater each day; Denver Water’s RUFUS (ReUse for Us) onsite water recycling system; and the Hydro Building at CSU Spur, including its Water Technology Acceleration Platform, where emerging water treatment technologies can be tested at full scale.
Both trips include bus transportation and lunch, and space is limited. Pre-registration is required.
Make Your Plans Early
Full conference registration includes educational sessions, the Mega-Conference Expo, conference proceedings, food functions and refreshment breaks. One-day registration is also available, along with special rates for members, regulators and students.
Early registration ends September 20, 2026, so now is a great time to start making plans.
For YOWA members, the Mega-Conference is an opportunity not only to earn training hours and learn about new technologies, but also to see how onsite and decentralized wastewater challenges are being addressed in very different environments across the country.
And really—how often does wastewater training give you an excuse to tour a septic system at Red Rocks?
Learn more about the 2026 NOWRA Onsite Mega-Conference and register:
NOWRA 2026 Mega-Conference Highlights
Check out the two optional field trips:
2026 Mega-Conference Field Trips
Ready to register?
2026 Mega-Conference Attendee Registration
