Workshops Inform California Residents
During a review period, members of the California Onsite Wastewater Association (COWA) hosted community workshops to inform residents about the state’s new septic system code. Attendees learned that adhering to the proposed rules, to be implemented in July 2010, would cost $35,000 to $45,000 for systems requiring supplemental treatment. Domestic wells would require groundwater analysis by a certified laboratory every five years at a cost of $325.
If the rule is passed, septic tanks would need to be inspected for solids accumulation every five years ($325). Qualified professionals would need to determine if onsite systems within 600 feet of the Pacific Ocean, Malibu Creek or Malibu Lagoon were contributing to their impairment. Retrofitting such systems with supplemental treatment would cost on average $45,000.
The proposed regulations would require site assessments for new systems including determination of seasonal high groundwater. They would need to be built by licensed contractors or property owners, and those within 600 feet of impaired water would need supplemental treatment, averaging $35,000 to install.
Affordability and feasibility were COWA’s main concerns. Members said some regulations were too strict and the standards were difficult to obtain by any system. The association will continue working with regulators to revise the requirements.
Decentralized Plants Gain Acceptance
The Hawaii Wastewater Recla-mation Division (WRD) in the Department of Environmental Management granted zoning for developing Honua’ula in South Maui provided it built a private decentralized treatment plant that could produce R1 effluent (approved for most uses except drinking).
The effluent would be used for on-the-spot irrigation, replacing drinking water and generating revenue for the WRD. WSI Inter-national LLC in Honolulu would probably provide the plant. The company sells package plants for large and small (as few as 20 homes) developments and is introducing single-family units to replace septic tanks. They require no drainfields.
Teamwork
The Ohio Onsite Wastewater Association (OOWA) joined with the National Association of Wastewater Transporters (NAWT) to offer a train-the-trainer course to certify participants to teach onsite installer courses. NAWT instructors teach the material and a trainee teaches it the next time the course is offered with NAWT instructors monitoring and assisting.
The two-day course can be broken into shorter ones for more flexibility. OOWA is looking for at least two trainers from each state region to minimize travel requirements. Contact Susan at 866/843-4429 or oowa@ohioonsite.org.
Tim Frank of Tim Frank Septic Tank Cleaning Co. in Huntsburg received the association’s 2009 Distinguished Service Award for his willingness to volunteer time, energy and expertise to keep the industry moving forward.
Ontario Honors
The Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services (OASIS) honored Robert Murrell of Pepi’s Sewage in Port Severn with its 2008 Life Time Achievement Award. Jamie Delaney, waste management manager for the District of Muskoka, received the Robert Noble Award for contributing his time and energy to the success of the OASIS Rural Wastewater Expo for two years. The Appreciation Award went to Jeff Chesher of Buckhorn Sand & Gravel for helping a fellow member in times of difficulty.
Changing Provider Code
Maintenance providers with Installer II or Wastewater C licenses will not have to take an advanced aerobic course and pass the maintenance provider examination to retain their certification in Texas. The Texas Onsite Wastewater Association convinced the regulatory commission to amend its requirements provided individuals were registered maintenance providers when the rules became effective last September.
By fighting for the exemption, the association saved current providers some $300 in course costs, about $200 in lodging, at least $100 in travel expenses, probably $100 for meals, and $500 in wages (2.5 days or 20 hours). “Associations work for their members,” says director Tim Taylor. “If you don’t belong, join today!”
Calendar
April 3-4
Alabama Onsite Wastewater Association Annual Trade Show, Pelham Civic Complex, Pelham. Call 334/396-3434 or visit www.aowa.org.
April 6-9
NOWRA Technical Exhibition and Conference, Midwest Airlines Convention Center, Milwaukee, Wis. Call 800/966-2942 or visit www.nowra.org.
Aug. 5-8
Florida Onsite Wastewater Asso-ciation Conference, Ocean Center, Daytona Beach. Call 407/830-4381 or www.fowaonsite.com.
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 Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association Technical Conference, Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, Dover. Call Ben Miller 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.oasisontario.on.ca.
Training & Education
National Association of Wastewater Transporters
NAWT has scheduled sessions in the following locations:
• June 12 – Vacuum Truck Technician, Monterey, Calif.
• June 16 – Inspector Recertification Training, Flagstaff, Ariz.
• Aug. 25-26 – Inspector Training, Flagstaff, Ariz.
• Sept. 16-17 – Waste Treatment Symposium, Orlando, Fla.
• Sept. 29-30 – Inspector Training, Arizona
• Oct. 9-10 – Waste Treatment Symposium, Orlando, Fla.
• Oct. 15-16 – Onsite Inspector Training and Certification, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
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 Wastewater Association (AOWA) and University of West Alabama (UWA). Courses are at UWA-Livingston campus:
• May 6-8 – Basic Installer
• May 13-15 – Advanced Level II Installers.
Call 334/396-3434 or visit www.aowa.org.
California
The training schedule for the California Onsite Wastewater Association is:
• May 8 – Science of Soils and Onsite Wastewater Disposal, Southern California.
Call MaryAnne Bobrow at 916/727-2692 or e-mail maryanne@cowa.org.
Minnesota
The University of Minnesota Extension has these classes:
• May 4-5 – Pumping/ Maintenance, Mankato
• May 4-5 – Service Provider, Mankato
• May 20-21 – Soils, Owatonna
• May 27-28 – Inspecting Onsite Systems, Waseca.
Call Nick Haig at 800/322-8642 (612/625-9797) or visit http://septic.umn.edu.
Missouri
The Missouri Smallflows Organization is offering these CEU courses:
• May 6 – Onsite Pumps, Panels, and Electrical, Chillicothe
• May 19-20 – Operation and Maintenance, Liberty.
Call 417/739-4100 or visit www.mosmallflows.org.
New England
The New England Onsite Wastewater Training Program at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston has these workshops:
• May 5-6 – Inspecting Onsite Systems
• May 14 – Innovative and Alternative Technology Overview
• May 28 – Innovative and Alternative Technology (Fieldwork at Peckham Farm).
Call 401/874-5950 or visit www.uri.edu/ce/wq. Contact Mark Stolt at 401/874-2915 or mstolt@uri.edu.
New York
The New York Onsite Wastewater Treatment Training Network Inc. is offering an Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Technology course May 27-28 in Skaneateles. Call SUNY-Delhi at 800/963-3544 or visit www.delhi. edu/bcs/otn_wastewater.
Virginia
The following courses by the Virginia Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (VOWRA) and Virginia Center for Onsite Wastewater Training (VCOWT) are at Blackstone:
• May 11-15 – Soils Exploration (VCOWT)
• May 13 – Proprietary System Training (VOWRA)
• May 13-14 – Wastewater 101 (VCOWT).
For VCOWT classes, contact Debbie Campbell at 434/736-2011 or visit www.southside.edu/programs/wastetreat. For VOWRA courses, contact Jeff Barr at 703/771-5250 or visit www.vowra.org.
Washington
The Washington Onsite Sewage Association and Washington State Department of Health in cooperation with Washington State University are offering these certification courses at the training center in Puyallup unless stated otherwise:
• April 8 – Maintenance Basics
• April 15 – Pumper 101
• April 22 – Designers: Subsurface Drip Systems
• May 6 – Electrical Basics
• May 7 – Control Panel Wiring
• May 13 – Basics of Installing, Part 3
• May 20 – Maintenance Basics, Bremerton
Call WOSSA at 253/770-6594 or visit www.wossa.org.
