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The Wastewater Information System Tool (TWIST)

Overview

TWIST LogoThe Wastewater Information System Tool (TWIST) is an off-the-shelf, user-friendly management tool that will allow state and local health departments to effectively inventory and manage small wastewater treatment systems in their jurisdictions. It is designed to track information related to homes and facilities served, permits, site evaluations, types of systems, inspections and complaints.

EPA developed TWIST as a comprehensive MIS system with a Microsoft Access database for managing system information. The system accommodates a wide variety of queries, list reports and mapping applications if users provide relevant data. It is designed to help identify and capture important system inventory and service information, and to help standardize management information so data can be easily transferred to other systems. TWIST will help answer key questions for public health and water resource program managers, such as:

For more information about TWIST, click the link for the user guide or flyer below:

TWIST is now available online. Below are instructions if you are using TWIST for the first time or if you have ordered a CD previously and need to update your version.

TWIST Instructions for New Users

TWIST Patch for Existing Users
  1. Download the TWIST zip file below.
  2. This zip file contains the MS Access file TWIST.mdb
    • Extract the zip file to your hard disk.
    • Open the TWIST.mdb file.
    • In MS Access click the Tools menu -> Database Utilities -> Linked Table Manager to open the Linked Table Manager Interface.
    • Click "Select All"
    • Browse to find the TWIST_Data.mdb and click "open" in the "Select New Location of Actions" menu.
    • Close the TWIST.mdb file
  3. Step 2 only needs to be completed the first time you use TWIST. In the future you can just open the TWIST.mdb file to access the tool.
  1. Rename the your old version of the TWIST.mdb file to TWIST_Data.mdb
  2. Download the TWIST Patch below.
  3. Extract the zip file to your hard disk.
  4. Copy the newly downloaded TWIST.mdb file into the same folder as the TWIST_data.mdb file.
    • Open the TWIST.mdb file.
    • In MS Access click the Tools menu -> Database Utilities -> Linked Table Manager to open the Linked Table Manager Interface.
    • Click "Select All"
    • Browse to find the TWIST_Data.mdb and click "open" in the "Select New Location of Actions" menu.
    • Close the TWIST.mdb file
  5. Step 2 only needs to be completed the first time you use TWIST. In the future you can just open the TWIST.mdb file to access the tool.
Click here to download TWIST Click here to download the TWIST Patch

To order a free CD-ROM copy of TWIST, call 1-(800)490-9198 or (513) 489-8190, or send a written request to:
  USEPA/NSCEP
  P.O. Box 42419M
  Cincinnati, Ohio
  Fax: (301) 604-3408
  Email: nscep@bps-lmit.com

Please remember to include your address and phone number in your request.

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