The US association NASSCO (National Association of Sewer Service Companies) marks 50 years of activity this year. As the magazine Trenchless Technology reported, the organisation now has nearly 600 member companies, bringing together thousands of people involved in trenchless work.
Its beginnings were modest. The association formed to give a voice to sewer network firms, above all in grouting, relining, joint tightness testing and sewer system evaluation surveys (SSES), and to set standards for their work and inspections. On 6 July 1976 its first meeting was held in Washington, D.C. Four people founded it: Ray Bahr Jr., Bill Thompson, Will Naylor and Jim Monaghan.
The scope of NASSCO is far wider today. Besides sewer contractors, its ranks include manufacturers and suppliers, engineers and also asset owners, agencies and municipalities, that is, the recipients of trenchless solutions. The association is active in Canada as well as in South and Central America. It has signed an agreement with ISTT so that its certifications reach the global market.
As the magazine recalled, the organisation went through financial trouble early on and its closure was considered; that lies in the past now. NASSCO executive director Sheila Joy said the association owes a great deal to the founders who saw the need. Tad Powell, NASSCO president for 2026, agreed.
The full feature on NASSCO's 50th anniversary appeared in the September issue of Trenchless Technology.
