Industry Standards

What Is NASSCO Certification and Why Should You Care When Hiring a Sewer Contractor?

EnviroFlow USA · April 12, 2026 · 6 min read

NASSCO Is the Gold Standard for Underground Infrastructure

NASSCO — the National Association of Sewer Service Companies — sets the industry standard for how underground pipelines are inspected, assessed, and rehabilitated. When a contractor says they're "NASSCO certified," it means their technicians have passed rigorous testing on standardized inspection and coding protocols.

At EnviroFlow USA, every technician on our crew holds NASSCO certifications. Here's why that matters for your project.

The Three Core NASSCO Certifications

PACP — Pipeline Assessment Certification Program

PACP is the North American standard for documenting defects found during CCTV sewer inspections. A PACP-certified operator knows how to identify cracks, root intrusion, joint separations, corrosion, and structural failures — and code them using a universal system that engineers and municipalities understand.

MACP — Manhole Assessment Certification Program

MACP standardizes how manholes are inspected and documented. Manholes are critical access points in any sewer system, and their condition directly impacts the pipes they connect.

LACP — Lateral Assessment Certification Program

LACP covers the inspection of lateral connections — the pipes that connect individual buildings to the main sewer line. These are often the source of infiltration and inflow problems.

Why NASSCO Certification Matters for Your Project

1. Consistent, Accurate Reports

Without PACP standards, one contractor might call a crack "minor" while another calls the same defect "critical." NASSCO certification eliminates this inconsistency. Every defect is coded the same way, giving engineers reliable data to make decisions.

2. Regulatory Acceptance

Most Ohio municipalities and the EPA require NASSCO-coded inspection reports for MS4 compliance, capital improvement planning, and grant applications. Reports from non-certified operators may not be accepted.

3. Better Decision-Making

NASSCO reports include severity ratings that help prioritize repairs. Instead of guessing which pipes need attention first, you get data-driven rankings based on structural and operational condition.

4. Legal Protection

If a pipe failure causes property damage or environmental contamination, NASSCO-coded inspection records demonstrate that you performed proper due diligence in maintaining your infrastructure.

How to Verify NASSCO Certification

Before hiring any sewer inspection contractor, ask these questions:

  1. Are your operators PACP, MACP, and LACP certified?
  2. Can you provide current certification numbers?
  3. Do your reports use standard NASSCO coding?
  4. What software do you use for inspection data management?
Any legitimate NASSCO-certified contractor will be happy to provide their certification credentials. If they can't — or won't — that's a red flag.
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EnviroFlow USA's NASSCO Credentials

Every field technician at EnviroFlow USA holds current certifications in PACP, MACP, and LACP. We don't subcontract inspections — our own certified crews operate our own equipment, ensuring consistent quality on every job.

Need a NASSCO-certified inspection for your sewer system? Call (440) 290-1550 or contact us online.