November Association News

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Study Finds Groundwater Contamination

A shallow groundwater systems study by the University of Montana Flathead Lake Biological Station concluded that rapid population growth in the Flathead Basin and the proliferation of onsite systems could increase risk for groundwater contamination.

In Phase 1, researchers sampled 17 wells for volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds. Most samples showed contamination, including traces of chloroform, arsenic or uranium. Acetaminophen, sunscreen, insect repellent, and caffeine were among the personal-care products found.

The complexity of the underground water system, and particularly its connection to the Whitefish and Flathead Rivers, makes it difficult to analyze. Researchers will expand their spotty data in Phase 2, in which water samples will be processed at a laboratory equipped to detect lower levels of contaminants.

Officials from the Flathead City-County Health Department and the state Department of Environmental Quality noted that samples were taken from a small group of shallow wells in an area of the valley known to be vulnerable to seepage from surface and ground sources, leaking septic tanks, and other pollution sources.

 

Registered

Professional Program

Four members of the Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association were the first to complete the voluntary Registered Professional Program started by the organization under the auspices of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The recipients are Dave Ruppert of Ruppert Haulage, master installer; Jason Steacy of JDS Enterprises, level I installer; Jason Rail of Rideau Valley Septic Services, advanced maintenance provider; and Ray Foster of ESSE Environmental, level I maintenance provider.

OOWA, authorized agent for MMAH, developed training and educational programs for installers, designers, maintenance/service providers, inspectors, and private home inspectors. The programs will set the standard for the industry in the province. Call the OOWA office at 905/372-2722 or email Denis Orendt at dorendt@yahoo.ca.

 

Scholarship Recipients

The Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professionals Association awarded scholarships to Kyra Hardebeck and Joseph Craven. Hardebeck, daughter of Ross Hardebeck of Precision Builders, is a freshman at Purdue University studying organizational leadership and supervision. Craven, son of Richard Craven of McCreary Concrete Products, is majoring in business administration at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Scholarship applications are at www.iowpa.org.

 

Calendar

Jan. 11-12

Iowa Onsite Waste Water Association Conference, Polk County Convention Complex, Des Moines. Call Alice Vinsand at 515/225-1051 or visit www.iowwa.com.

 

Jan. 16-18

Missouri Smallflows Conference, University Plaza Hotel and Springfield Exposition Center, Springfield. 417/739-4100; www.mosmallflows.org.

 

Jan. 17-18

Ohio Onsite Wastewater Association Conference and Trade Show, Hyatt Regency, Columbus. 866/843-4429; www.ohioonsite.org.

 

Jan. 19-20

Colorado Professionals for Onsite Wastewater Educational Conference, PPA Event Center, Denver. Visit www.cpow.net.

 

Jan. 23-24

Pennsylvania Decentralized Wastewater Conference and Trade Show, Lancaster Marriott and Conference Center, Lancaster. Call Stacy Henninger at 717/763-7762 or visit www.psma.net.

 

Jan. 26-28

Alberta Onsite Wastewater Management Association Convention and Trade Show, Mayfield Inn and Convention Centre, Edmonton. 877/489-7471; www.aowma.com.

 

Jan. 27-28

Wisconsin Onsite Water Recycling Association and Wisconsin Liquid Waste Carriers Association Joint Convention, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Stevens Point. 800/377-6672; www.wowra.com.

 

Jan. 30-31

Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professionals Association Annual Conference, Camp Camby, Indianapolis. 317/889-2382; www.iowpa.org.

 

Feb. 6-9

Onsite Wastewater Professionals of Illinois Annual Conference and Trade Show, Gateway Conference Center, Collinsville. Contact Steve Johnson at jswastewatersystems@mchsi.com.

 

Feb. 8-9

Utah On-Site Wastewater Association Conference. Location to be determined. 435/797-3155; http://uwrl.usu.edu/partnerships/training/uowa.html.

 

Feb. 10

Saskatchewan Onsite Wastewater Management Association Conference, Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre, Saskatoon. 877/489-7471; www.sowma.ca.

 

Feb. 10-11

Oregon Onsite Wastewater Association Conference, Seaside Civic and Convention Center, Seaside. 541/389-6692; www.o2wa.org.

 

Feb. 21-22

Texas On-Site Wastewater Association Conference, Waco Convention Center, Waco. Call Tim Taylor at 888/398-7188 or visit www.txowa.org.

 

Feb. 22-24

Kentucky Onsite Wastewater Association Conference, Hyatt Regency, Louisville. 270/314-7110; www.kentuckyonsite.org.

 

Feb. 27-Mar. 1

Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International, Indianapolis, Ind. Call 800/257-7222 or visit www.pumpershow.com.

 

Training & Education

Alabama

The Alabama Onsite Wastewater Association and University of West Alabama have the Continuing Education course at the Livingston campus Dec. 1-2. The first day is for installers and the second day is for pumpers and portable restroom operators. Call the training center at 205/652-3803 or visit www.aowatc.uwa.edu.

 

Connecticut

The Connecticut Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association is holding its Installer School on Jan. 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9 and 16 with a snow date of Feb. 23. The COWRA Pumper/Cleaner School is Feb. 16 with a snow date of Feb. 23. Classes are at Wesleyan University, Middletown. Call 860/267-1057 or visit www.cowra-online.org.

 

Georgia

The University of Georgia’s College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences is offering a Contractors and Pumpers course on:

• Jan. 10 – Hazlehurst

• Jan. 17 – Griffin

Contact the Continuing Education Center at 770/229-3477 or conteduc@uga.edu.

 

Minnesota

The University of Minnesota Water Resources Center has these classes:

• Dec. 7-8 – Installer, Continuing Education, Brainerd

• Dec. 8 – Pipelayer Certification, Brainerd

• Dec. 13-14 – General Continuing Education, Mankato

Call Nick Haig at 800/322-8642 or visit www.septic.umn.edu.

 

Missouri

The Missouri Smallflows Organization has these CEU courses:

• Dec. 6-7 – Operations and Maintenance, St. Louis

• Dec. 12 – Drip Irrigation, Springfield

• Dec. 13 – Pumps, Panels, and Electrical, Springfield

Call Tammy Yelden at 417/739-4100 or visit www.mosmallflows.org.

 

Nebraska

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension has these state-approved courses:

• Dec. 8 – Planning and Sizing a System, Omaha

• Dec. 9 – Operation and Maintenance, Omaha

Call 402/472-9390 or visit www.deq.state.ne.us/WasteWat.nsf/pages/OnsitePDH.

 

New England

The New England Onsite Wastewater Training Center at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston has these courses:

• Dec. 1 – Rhode Island Regulatory Setbacks and Buffers

• Dec. 8 – Nitrogen in the Environment and Onsite Systems

• Dec. 15 – Designing Nitrogen Removal Technologies

Call 401/874-5950 or visit www.uri.edu/ce/wq. For soil courses, call Mark Stolt at 401/874-2915 or email mstolt@uri.edu.

 

North Carolina

North Carolina State University has these courses at Raleigh unless stated otherwise:

• Dec. 6 – Inspector Field Practicum, Manteo

• Dec. 7 – Basic System Troubleshooting, Manteo

• Dec. 8 – Inspector Field Practicum

• Dec. 14 – Flow Equalization and Timed Dosing

• Dec. 15 – Pump System Design

• Dec. 16 – Advanced Design Lab

Call Joni Tanner at 919/513-1678 or visit www.soil.ncsu.edu/training.

The North Carolina Pumper Group and Portable Toilet Group will hold the four-hour septage management training and three-hour land application seminar on Dec. 10 in Raleigh. Call Joe McClees at 252/249-1097 or visit www.ncpumpergroup.org or www.ncportabletoiletgroup.org.



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