Certification News All Operators Should Know: 
NASSCO’s PACP™ Version 8 Update

Why Upgrading Your Certification Matters

Before we dive into the updates, it’s important to understand why upgrading your certification matters in the first place. Consider these benefits:

• Stay Ahead of the Curve: As the industry evolves to maintain and repair the nation’s failing infrastructure (a $1.65 trillion dollar problem), Version 8 represents the latest and greatest in industry standards and technology. Upgrading means you're serious about staying ahead of the curve.
• Open Doors to New Opportunities: Many employers require certification in the latest version of PACP. By upgrading, you'll unlock new job opportunities and expand your professional horizons.

What's the Big Deal About PACP™ Version 8?

Per Municipal Sewer & Water's announcement, Version 8 includes updates to its Pipeline Assessment Certification Program™, Lateral Assessment Certification Program™, and Manhole Assessment Certification Program™ – most notably, addressing code update requests and improving the manual’s organization.

• New codes for pressure pipe assessment
• New codes for perforated pipe
• Update of condition grade scores
• Update of stormwater codes (aligned with AASHTO stormwater guidelines)
• Additional surface damage codes to address materials other than concrete
• Coding of new versus existing pipe
• Reorganization of the manual to allow a more logical progression from PACP™ to LACP™ to MACP™
• Update of photos, illustrations, and examples

Trend Report:

With the emergence of new field technology (such as HD cameras and AI-powered tools), the rising quality of video is raising the bar for coding standards. As these advancements enable workflows, NASSCO recognizes increasing numbers of  sewer utilities and engineers could require these practices to become standardized, as manual processes and legacy equipment are phased out due to automation tools like SewerAI.   

Updating From Version 7 or Earlier

If you are currently certified in PACP Version 7 but your certification term does not expire for a while, you may want to consider upgrading while these offers are available:

• PACP professionals who became certified prior to June 1, 2023, may purchase an online upgrade course and manual (digital and hard copy) for $175.
• PACP professionals who became certified after June 1, 2023, but prior to launch of PACP Version 8, will be provided a revised manual in digital format and an online upgrade course at no cost, with optional purchase of a hard copy of the PACP manual available for $85.
• Note: PACP Version 6 and earlier will be discontinued.
  

Never Been PACP-Certified? No Problem.

If you've never been PACP-certified, or it's been a while, NASSCO just released two new online courses on the basics of evaluating condition codes and assessing risk.

COURSE: PACP for Asset Management - Evaluating Condition Grades

This course will give an overview of PACP codes, the rationale behind the condition grades and scoring systems, and automated reports. This is intended for utility managers who require an understanding of NASSCO condition assessment results and how they can be interpreted to support proactive maintenance plans. 

COURSE: PACP for Asset Management - Assessing Risk

Designed for utility managers and engineers, this course reveals how NASSCO’s PACP condition assessment results, combined with computerized maintenance management systems and off-the-shelf tools such as GIS, can be used to predict maintenance, rehabilitation, and/or replacement of gravity piping systems. 

Going Above (Ground) and Beyond: Bonus Tip

If you’re reading this, you’re the type of professional who goes above and beyond to stay up on industry standards and technologies. SewerAI is the first and only sewer inspection software made by and for wastewater professionals.

Regardless of the CCTV tool in use or operator available, SewerAI detects and diagnoses conditions 6x faster than manual CCTV pipe inspection software. Plus, SewerAI can pull data from GIS mapping software into your CCTV inspection while in the field.
Refer your crew to learn more about SewerAI.