Editor's Blog

New Mexico group steps in to aid poor families with septic system problems

2012-05-16T12:26:37+00:00

With no state funding available for replacement onsite systems, the Professional Onsite Wastewater Reuse Association of New Mexico began an annual Christmas Septic Giveaway program that happens any time of year.

Working with Dennis McQuillan, the state’s Environment Department Liquid Waste Program manager, and liquid waste specialist James Vincent, the board of directors selected a low-income family that was about to have the water to the home shut off because of overflowing sewage.

Donations were made by Buck Saunders of Dahl Plumbing in Santa Fe and Taos, Eric Berquist of Infiltrator Systems (EZflow geosynthetic aggregate), and Eugene Bassett of EC Bassett Construction in Edgewood (risers and materials).

Installers and equipment were provided by Ralph Dotson of AAA Allied Septic Service in Sante Fe, Shawn Benavidez of Rio Grande Septic in Rio Rancho, EC Bassett, and Fred and Kevin Richardson of Richardson Excavating and Trenching in Santa Fe. McQuillan also helped with the installation. The association will work with the Environment Department to help secure money for a state indigent fund, while members heighten awareness of the number of poor families with septic problems.

Sump and sewage pump manufacturers seek association director

2012-05-09T16:10:19+00:00

The Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturers Association (SSPMA) is seeking a new managing director to replace Pamela Franzen, president of Nike Professional Services, who is retiring March 31, 2013, after 39 years with the trade association.

Candidates should live in the Chicago area and have at least a bachelor’s degree, strong leadership skills, experience in association management, and ideally knowledge of the residential sump, effluent and sewage pump industry.

SSPMA is a North American trade association representing more than 90 percent of the manufacturers of sump, effluent and sewage pumps, as well as component and accessory suppliers. Established in 1956, SSPMA seeks to educate the industry, the general public, and legislative and regulatory groups, in the proper application, use, installation and maintenance of members’ products and services.

The deadline for application is July 31. Candidates should email to hdqtrs@sspma.org, type “Re: Managing Director” in the subject line, and attach a resume with salary requirements. Upon acceptance of resume, a Request for Proposal will be sent to applicants. For more information about SSPMA, visit www.sspma.org.

Georgia delays land application permitting rules

2012-05-08T16:23:38+00:00

The Georgia Onsite Wastewater Association worked with legislators to delay for two years the implementation of the Department of Natural Resources land application and permitting rules. The postponement gives members and lawmakers time to rewrite the language before the rules become effective in July 2014. Association members stated that the new rules were expensive and harsh and would force many out of business because they could not afford to comply. The rules also made it more difficult to dispose of septage. GOWA president Dart Kendall spent two days at the state Capitol discussing the problem with legislators and winning support for the delay. GOWA lobbyist Bruce Widener worked with them to draft the amendment.

Indiana

Fears that some homes damaged or destroyed by spring tornadoes could not be rebuilt until their septic systems were updated have been calmed. A disaster declaration made recovery funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) available to people in five counties. The funds will help pay for septic repair and replacement; homeowners and renters could also apply for housing assistance while their home was being repaired or rebuilt.

Iowa

The Department of Natural Resources is considering several changes to its regulations covering private onsite systems. A notice of the rulemaking says no significant changes were proposed. Updates to the Iowa Time of Transfer rules for septic systems were designed to “simplify the inspection process” in accordance with a 2010 law, according to the notice. Other technical changes were intended to improve consistency and uniformity.

Michigan

Five counties have teamed up to develop regional septic system regulations to protect waters around Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron. Bay, Tuscola, Huron, Arenac and Iosco counties make up the Saginaw Bay Coastal Initiative. The regulations now in development would rank septic systems by age, require permits for installation and operation of systems, and mandate regular inspections. Bay County has established a low-interest loan fund to help homeowners repair faulty systems, and other counties hope to follow suit.

Webinar explores effects of drugs and other chemicals on the environment

2012-04-20T18:21:52+00:00

WasteWater Education 501(c)3 is offering two sessions of a webinar, “6 Ps: A conversation about Prescriptions, Personal Care Products, Pesticides, Petroleum-Based Cleaning and Plasticizing Products and their effect on wastewater systems.”

The program will be offered Thursday, April 26 at 9 a.m. and Thursday, May 3, at 1 p.m. (both Eastern time). The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has approved the course for one hour of Continuing Septage Education Credit. There is a $20 fee for those seeking credit. The presentation is free to the general public but a donation will be gladly accepted. Space is limited to 45 attendees.

In a previous web-based interactive presentation, a representative from U.S. Geological Survey detailed the status of research on contaminants of emerging concern, including pharmaceuticals and the chemical components of personal care products. Wastewater service providers continue to report physical evidence of system damage linked to excessive use of cleaning products and to medications used by property owners.

This session will focus on how to discuss from the service provider’s standpoint what should never go down a toilet or drain. Those in the onsite system service industry are in effect the first line of defense in protecting water quality and the environment and play a vital role in passing on accurate, science based information.

In honor of Earth Week and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Drug Take Back Day (April 28th), this web-based seminar will provide information and education resources that wastewater service professionals can pass on to their customers and communities. For more information, visit www.wastewatereducation.org or call 231/233-1806.

Reader finds sanitation picture in Alabama counties “disturbing”

2012-04-19T18:43:10+00:00

A commenter to an April Onsite Installer article says it’s a sad day when people in a wealthy country like the United States have to live with substandard sanitation. The article and the complete comment can be found at:

https://www.onsiteinstaller.com/editorial/2012/04/poor_people_poor_soil_poor_sanitation

The comment reads in part: “It’s hard to believe that in this day and age people are being forced to live like they did back in the 1700s and1800s, or in the slums of South America or Africa. And what’s even more disturbing is that once again the lawmakers on both sides of the border [U.S./Canada] sit on their hands and either spend very little or nothing at all to ameliorate the problem. And yes, it happens in Canada as well.

“You would think that two of the richest nations in the world, who have worked together to put men on the moon and explore space beyond the wildest expectations, could put something together so that sewage treatment and availability of safe potable water is in every single household. It seems ludicrous that along with the infrastructure failures all over North America, now we have people getting sick from being poisoned by raw sewage, and then being forced to pay for their own medical care, which they really cannot afford either...

“Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to make this a local election issue during the Presidential Election campaign. If other self-serving groups can make their own pleas be heard and acted upon, folks in the Black Belt could do the same for the greater good of everyone.”

New law in Maryland increases “flush tax” and creates system regulating where septic systems can go

2012-04-11T20:52:36+00:00

The “flush tax” in Maryland is set to double under a bill passed by both houses of the state legislature. The $30 annual fee will increase to $60 to fund programs to protect the Chesapeake Bay, including wastewater treatment plant renovations, septic system upgrades, and cover crop programs to help farmers prevent soil erosion. A new provision exempts areas where wastewater is not discharged to the Bay. The tax, instituted in 2004, is paid on sewer bills or property taxes. An amendment to end the tax in 2030 was defeated in the Senate. Before the latest session, a legislative had recommended tripling the fee to $90 by 2015.

The legislature also passed a plan from Governor Martin O’Malley designed to further protect the bay. Counties will have to develop a four-tiered system to control where septic tanks may and may not be used. The bill was amended to put that power in the hands of the counties rather than the state.

Pump manufacturers to offer two free training webinars on sewage pump sizing

2012-04-01T19:02:38+00:00

The Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturers Association (SSPMA) will present two free webinars on Monday, April 23 at 4 p.m. and Thursday, May 3 at 9 a.m., both Central time. The presentations will cover sizing guidelines for new or replacement sewage pumps. A step-by-step outline for calculating a sizing program will be featured.

Subjects covered will include pump capacity, total dynamic head, solids-handling requirements, simplex or duplex systems, and a sizing example. SSPMA represents the manufacturers of sump, sewage and effluent pumps, together with component and accessory suppliers. For information, visit www.sspma.org or phone 847/559-9233.

NOWRA YouTube channel presents 2012 Roe-D-Hoe highlights

2012-03-23T18:05:46+00:00

If you haven’t observed a NOWRA backhoe Roe-D-Hoe, or even if you have, you might enjoy a 7-minute YouTube video posted by NOWRA, showing the highlights of the 2012 national competition, held at the Pumper & Cleaner Expo in Indianapolis Feb. 28-March 1.

The footage includes highlights from the preliminary rounds, the competition among state Roe-D-Hoe champions, and the finals, won by Charles Webb of Charles Webb of R. Webb Excavating in Hockessin, Del. Webb was the Delaware state champion.

The video is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRjD_9L146s&list=UUWQpdLzrfmmr3aIJHbtIcmw&index=1&feature=plcp

Rebuilding after tornado in southern Indiana may include new onsite systems

2012-03-19T20:09:31+00:00

The Associated Press reports that residents of Marysville, a village hit by tornadoes on March 2, may have to upgrade their onsite treatment systems before they start rebuilding their homes.

The storms destroyed about 30 homes. Clark County officials say homeowners planning to rebuild or make major repairs will first need their onsite systems inspected by the health department. Properties with soils that are not suitable for conventional systems may need mound systems instead.

“Officials don't know if county government will be able to obtain funding to assist people needing new sanitation systems, or even whether there's financing available for a community sanitation system in an unincorporated village,” the AP reported.

Read the full story at http://www.indystar.com/usatoday/article/38799485?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CNews%7Cs

PASEO honors Longwell for 25 years of service

2012-03-09T21:15:47+00:00

Gil Longwell of Mechanicsburg was honored March 6 by the Pennsylvania Association of Sewage Enforcement Officers (PASEO) for 25 years of service to the organization. He received the Dean Shultz Outstanding Service Award at the association's conference-ending banquet.

The award recognizes Longwell's long commitment to PASEO and for “giving tirelessly of himself to increase the professionalism of the members and the effectiveness of the association. Past president Tom Bowes presented the award and recalled Longwell’s keynote address at the first PASEO conference: “Gil spoke of the need for SEOs to behave as professionals in all they do. He has displayed that high level of professionalism in all he has done for and with the association.”

Named in honor of SEO Dean Shultz, the award is presented to an SEO who has demonstrated sustained commitment to the association and advanced its work. Among his contributions, Shultz served on the State Board for the Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers for 35 years and played a key role in the formation of PASEO.

Since he left his role as PASEO administrator, Longwell has established the Onsite Institute, which provides education to homeowners, businesses and onsite professionals on all onsite issues and helps manufacturers introduce new technologies to regulators, permitting entities and consumers. He also regularly contributes cover stories about excellent onsite professionals to Onsite Installer magazine.