Why Serving on Your State Regulatory Board Is Critical for the Onsite Wastewater Industry

State regulatory boards play a decisive role in shaping the onsite wastewater industry. Licensing standards, certification requirements, approved system types, training expectations, and enforcement policies all originate at the board level.

Right now, the industry faces a serious challenge. There is very little turnover on many state regulatory boards, and too few active onsite wastewater professionals are stepping forward to serve.

That gap matters more than ever.

State Regulatory Boards Control the Direction of Onsite Wastewater Policy

Regulatory and certification boards exist to protect public health, but their decisions directly affect how installers, inspectors, operators, and designers do their jobs every day.

These boards determine who can be licensed and at what level. They approve advanced treatment technologies and distribution methods. They establish continuing education requirements. They interpret rules that impact permitting, inspections, and system performance in the field.

When experienced industry professionals are not involved, rules are often written without enough real world field perspective.

The Industry Problem: Low Turnover and Limited Participation

Many state regulatory boards experience minimal turnover. Members may serve for long periods, and open seats are often filled quietly with little outreach to the broader industry.

At the same time, many qualified professionals assume someone else will step up. Others do not know how appointments work or that opportunities to serve even exist.

The result is a small group making decisions for an entire industry, often without sufficient input from professionals who are actively installing, inspecting, maintaining, and operating systems today.

Why Active Industry Professionals Need to Serve

Serving on a state regulatory board is not about politics. It is about professional responsibility and protecting the future of the onsite wastewater industry.

Industry professionals bring practical jobsite experience. They understand how regulations affect real projects. They can identify unintended consequences before rules are finalized. They help balance innovation with public health protection.

Most importantly, they help ensure regulations evolve alongside technology, training, and field practices rather than falling behind them.

You Do Not Need a Political Background to Serve

Many professionals hesitate because they believe regulatory boards are only for attorneys, regulators, or career administrators.

In reality, boards need installers, inspectors, operators, designers, manufacturers, suppliers, and educators. They need professionals who understand system installation, operation, maintenance, and inspection in real conditions.

If you work in onsite wastewater, your experience is valuable at the regulatory level.

How State Regulatory Board Appointments Work

In most states, regulatory board members are appointed by governors, selected through legislative leadership, or nominated by professional and industry organizations. These appointments are often not widely advertised. Without guidance, many qualified professionals never learn how to engage in the process or who to contact.

Understanding the appointment pathway is the first step to participation.

How Onsite Wastewater Professionals Can Help You Serve

At Onsite Wastewater Professionals, we believe strong industry representation leads to better regulation and better outcomes.

If you are interested in serving on a state regulatory or certification board, we can help you identify boards in your state. We can explain how appointments are made. We can help connect you with the legislative or executive teams responsible for appointing board members. We can also help you clearly present your experience and qualifications.

Our goal is to increase informed industry participation, not to promote any specific agenda.

Why This Matters Right Now

The onsite wastewater industry is changing rapidly. Advanced treatment systems are becoming more common. New technologies are entering the market. Regulatory scrutiny is increasing. Public expectations are higher than ever.

If active professionals do not step into leadership roles at the regulatory level, decisions will continue to be made without sufficient field based insight.

Participation matters. Representation matters. Leadership matters.

Interested in Serving on a State Regulatory Board

If you have ever felt that industry voices are missing from regulatory decisions or that rules do not reflect real world conditions, this is your opportunity to get involved.

Contact Onsite Wastewater Professionals to learn how to serve on your state regulatory board. We can help connect you with the legislative teams and appointment authorities responsible for selecting board members in your state.