Wastewater Contaminants Study
The Wisconsin Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association newsletter reported on a study published in the Journal of Environmental Quality, “Removal of Organic Wastewater Contaminants in Septic Systems Using Advanced Treatment Tech-nologies.” The study looked at the impact of onsite systems on releasing pharmaceuticals and other organic contaminants to the environment.
Researchers analyzed effluent samples and found that caffeine, the stimulant paraxanthine, and the pain reliever acetaminophen were the most frequently detected. Levels in conventional systems were comparable to those of municipal treatment plant influent, and levels after advanced onsite treatment were comparable to levels in municipal effluent. Sand filtration or aerobic treatment significantly lowered concentrations. For a copy of the study, call Ann Gryphan at 608/256-7757.
Wonder Worms
Stephan “Alex” Clary, son of Ray Clary of Honc Septic and Grading in Saint James City, Fla., received first place in the Environ-mental Sciences division at the Southwest Florida Thomas A. Edison Kiwanis Regional Science Fair.
His project, Wonder Worms, hypothesized that the digestive tracts of earthworms could destroy E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria found in onsite wastewater systems. Clary also won First Runner Up overall and received a full-tuition four-year scholarship to Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers. He is an eighth grader at Providence Christian School in Cape Coral, Fla.
Volunteer of the Year
The Indiana Onsite Waste Water Professionals Association named Don Jones, Purdue University, retired, its 2008 Volunteer of the Year. Jones, a member of the board, was instrumental in developing the organization’s certification program. Gary C. Steinhardt, Ph.D., replaced Jones on the board. Steinhardt, a professor of agronomy and extension agronomist at Purdue University, is helping add CEUs to the association’s certification program.
Onsite Triathlon
The Florida Onsite Wastewater Association newsletter reports that A-1 Septic of Orlando promotes the onsite industry through its triathlon team. Members wear jerseys with the sponsor’s name — Infiltrator — on the front and the letters FOWA on the back. As they travel the state, triathletes are often asked the meaning of the acronym.
“The question lets them respond with facts about onsite systems and how they keep our environment healthy,” says A-1 Septic owner Dave Smith. “I can’t believe the difference the effort has made across the state.” Smith is challenging any onsite company, Department of Health, supplier, or manufacturer to a race. The proceeds would benefit FOWA. Call Smith at 407/859-6285.
Public Service Announcements
The Michigan Septic Tank Association approved funding for three professionally developed public service announcements. The 30-second spots encourage routine maintenance of onsite systems and proper septage disposal.
Calendar
June 17-19
Arizona Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association 2009 Onsite Waste-water Educational Conference, Radisson Woodlands Hotel, Flagstaff. Call 928/632-3900 or visit www. azonsite.org.
Aug. 6-8
Florida Onsite Wastewater Association Conference, Ocean Center, Daytona Beach. Call 407/937-2228 or www.fowaonsite.com.
Aug. 12-14
North Carolina Septic Tank Association Outreach Symposium, Greenville Convention Center, Greenville. Call Monica Rhea at 704/ 739-5849 or visit www.ncsta.net.
Aug. 28-29
Georgia Onsite Wastewater Association Conference, Marietta Conference Center, Marietta. Call 678/646-0379 or visit www.onsite wastewater.org.
Oct. 20-21
Delaware On-site Wastewater Recycling Association Technical Conference, Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, Dover. Call Mike Cotten at 302/226- 2844 or visit www.dowra.org.
Oct. 22-23
Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services Rural Wastewater Treatment Expo, Hamilton. Call 877/202-0082 or visit www.oasis ontario.on.ca.
Training & Education
NAWT
The National Association of Wastewater Transporters has these sessions:
• Aug. 25-26 – Inspector Training, Flagstaff, Ariz.
• Sept. 29-30 – Inspector Training, TBD, Ariz.
• Oct. 9-10 – Waste Treatment Symposium, Orlando, Fla.
Call NAWT at 800/236-6298 or visit www.nawt.org. For Arizona classes, contact Kitt Farrell-Poe at 928/782-3836 or e-mail kittfp@ag.arizona.edu.
Alabama
Licensing classes are the joint effort of the Alabama Onsite Waste Water Association (AOWA) and University of West Alabama (UWA). Courses are at UWA Livingston campus unless stated otherwise:
• July 9-10 – Pumper
• July 21-22 – Maintenance Training for Onsite Installers, Crestview, Fla.
• July 29-31 – Basic Installer.
Call 334/396-3434 or visit www.aowa.org.
California
The California Onsite Wastewater Association has a Science of Soils and Onsite Wastewater Disposal class on July 24, site TBD. Call MaryAnne Bobrow at 530/321-2207 or e-mail maryanne@cowa.org.
Florida
The Florida Onsite Wastewater Association offers the following classes:
• July 7 – System Design and Function, Ft. Myers
• July 9 – System Design and Function, Master IV, Davie
• July 21-22 – Maintenance Training for Onsite Installers, Crestview.
Contact FOWA at 407/937-2228 or www.fowaonsite.com.
Minnesota
The University of Minnesota Extension has these classes:
• July 1 – Soils Continuing Education, Crookston
• July 14 – Soils Continuing Education, Blue Earth.
Call Nick Haig at 800/322-8642 (612/625-9797) or visit http://septic.umn.edu.
New England
The New England Onsite Wastewater Training Program at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston has these workshops:
• July 15 – Surveying Techniques for the Onsite Wastewater Contractor
• July 16 – Microbiology for Wastewater Professionals
• July 29-30 – Advanced Soil Morphology (Mark Stolt).
Call 401/874-5950 or visit www.uri.edu/ce/wq. Contact Mark Stolt at 401/874-2915 or mstolt@uri.edu.
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Septage Management Association is offering these courses:
• July 15-16 – Onsite Inspection, Chester
• July 22-23 – Onsite Inspection, Bordentown, N.J.
Call 717/763-7762 or visit www.psma.net.
