Papers highlight benefits of onsite systems

The EPA and the Decentralized Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Partnership developed four two-page papers that highlight how onsite systems can be sustainable and appropriate options for communities and homeowners. Topics cover how systems can be sensible solutions, cost-effective and economical, green and sustainable, and protect the environment, public health and water quality. Papers include brief case studies, links to additional resources, and associated benefits. View them at http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/septic/Decentralized-MOU-Partnership-Products.cfm.

Full code implementation

As Minnesota moves to full implementation of the 2011 subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS) code, contractors must be licensed to design, install, maintain, inspect and service these systems. Licenses must be renewed every year with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and proof of insurance, proof of an SSTS Surety Bond, and an annual fee are required.

At least one employee with each licensed business must be certified in each of its specialty areas. Those who work for state, county, township or city government and oversee onsite systems also must be certified. MPCA also created a certification and license to allow intermediate designers to design Type IV pretreatment systems for domestic strength wastewater up to 2,500 gpd and intermediate inspectors to review the designs and inspect the systems. Certification courses through the University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program are at www.septic.umn.edu/events/index.htm.

Wastewater educator honored

Kathryn "Kitt" Farrell-Poe, Ph.D., received the 2011 Extension Faculty of the Year Award at the 2012 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Extension Conference in Tucson, Ariz. The award acknowledged her accomplishments in managing the University of Arizona Onsite Wastewater Education Program and related water programming.

Communication channels

Wisconsin Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association board members met with Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary Dave Ross to discuss surface discharge, department staff changes, and onsite evaluator training and certification. Board members reported that Ross and his team were cooperative and showed interest in the onsite profession.

At-grade systems

An article by Sara Heger, University of Minnesota Onsite Program, in the newsletter of the Minnesota Onsite Wastewater Association explained design principles and installation keys for at-grade systems. Heger considers such systems an option when there are 36 to 42 or more inches from limiting conditions, or when installers do not want to excavate soils such as clay. At-grade systems also disperse effluent across a long, narrow slope, offering better potential treatment. Visit www.mowa-mn.com/?page_id=84.

NOWRA education

NOWRA has developed a suite of educational programs for state associations or groups that wish to train onsite professionals. Available on CD, the one- or two-day courses with syllabuses include:

NOWRA Onsite A-to-Z

Basics of Onsite Wastewater

Choosing the Correct Onsite System to Fit the Site

Earthen Structures

High-Strength Wastewater

Hydraulics

Troubleshooting Onsite Systems

CIDWT National Installer Training Program

CIDWT National O&M Service Provider Program

The association has established training agreements with Rose State College in Oklahoma and the New Mexico Department of Environmental Quality and is pursuing other partnerships.

Joint workshop

NOWRA and the Water Environment Federation will hold a joint workshop on onsite systems greater than 10,000 gpd during WEFTEC 2013 Oct. 5-9 in Chicago. The one-day NOWRA conference will be an independent ticketed event.

Calendar of Events

Jan. 8-10

Michigan On-Site Wastewater Disposal Conference, Kellogg Center, East Lansing. 989/275-4947; www.mowra.org.

Jan. 9-10

Iowa Onsite Waste Water Association Conference, Iowa Events Center/Hy-Vee Hall, Des Moines. 515/225-1051; www.iowwa.com.

Jan. 15-16

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

Jan. 17-18

Colorado Professionals in Onsite Wastewater Educational Conference, PPA Event Center, Denver. 303/551-3266; www.cpow.net.

Jan. 21-22

Pennsylvania Decentralized Wastewater Conference and Trade Show, Valley Forge Casino Resort, King of Prussia. 717/763-7762; www.psma.net.

Jan. 22-23

Missouri Smallflows Conference and Trade Show, Boone County Fairgrounds, Columbia. Call Tammy Trantham at 417/739-4100 or visit www.mosmallflows.org.

Jan. 23-26

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

Jan. 25-26

Washington On-Site Sewage Association Conference, Yakima Convention Center, Yakima. 253/770-6594; www.wossa.org.

Jan. 28-29

Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professional Association Winter Conference, Camp Camby, 317/889-2382; www.iowpa.org.

Jan. 29-31

Minnesota Onsite Wastewater Association Convention and Expo, Arrowwood Resort Convention Center, Alexandria. 952/345-1141; www.mowa-mn.com.

Jan. 31-Feb. 1

North Carolina Septic Tank Association Convention and Expo, Hickory Metro Convention Center, Hickory. Visit www.ncsta.net or email ncsta@earthlink.net.

Feb. 6-8

Kansas Small Flows Association Convention, Ramada, Hutchinson. Call Elma Ball at 913/594-1472 or visit www.ksfa.org.

Feb. 8-9

West Canada Onsite Wastewater Management Association of British Columbia Trade Show and Conference, Abbottsford. 877/489-7471; www.wcowma.com.

Feb. 21-23

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

Feb. 25-28

Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis. 866/933-2653; www.pumpershow.com.

Connecticut

The Connecticut Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association is holding its Installer School on Jan. 17, 24, 31, Feb. 7, 14 and 21 (snow date Feb. 28). Students are automatically enrolled in the Pumper/Cleaner School on Feb. 21 (snow date Feb. 28). The courses, which prepare attendees for the state licensing exam, are at Wesleyan University, Middletown. Call Janice Cavanaugh at 860/267-1057 or visit www.cowra-online.org.

Minnesota

The University of Minnesota Water Resources Center has these classes:

Feb. 11-13 – Introduction to Onsite Systems, St. Cloud

Feb. 14-15 – Installing Onsite Systems, St. Cloud

Feb. 20-22 – Installer Continuing Education, Cloquet

Feb. 21 – Pipelayer Certification, Cloquet

March 12-15 – Intermediate Onsite System Design and Inspection, St. Cloud

March 19-21 – Maintaining Onsite Systems, St. Cloud

March 25-26 – Maintainer Continuing Education, Owatonna

March 27-28 – General Continuing Education, Detroit Lakes

Call Nick Haig at 800/322-8642 (612/625-9797) or visit www.septic.umn.edu.

North Carolina

North Carolina State University has the following courses:

Feb. 12 – Onsite System Technologies, Raleigh

Feb. 13 – Advanced Treatment for Improved Field Performance, Raleigh

Feb. 19-20 – Septic System Options for Difficult Sites, Wilmington

Feb. 20 – Navigating Decentralized Reuse Rules and Technologies, Morganton

Feb. 21 – Advances in Water Table Management, Wilmington

Feb. 27 – Onsite System Technologies, Mills River

Feb. 28 – Advanced Treatment for Improved Field Performance, Mills River

March 19 – Redoximorphic Features, Soil Wetness, and Water Table Relationships, New Bern

March 20 – Nature's Way: Water Movement and Treatment through Soils, New Bern

March 27 – Soils of the Felsic/Mafic Piedmont Region, Salisbury

Contact Joni Tanner at 919/513-1678 or soils_training@ncsu.edu.

Virginia

The Virginia Center for Onsite Wastewater Training has these classes:

Feb. 4 – Understanding the Septic Tank, Online

Feb. 4 – Nitrogen Dynamics, Online

March 4 – Foundational Concepts of Pump Systems, Pickett Park

March 29 – Understanding the Septic Tank, Online

Contact Latonya Fowlkes at 434/292-3101 or latonya.fowlkes@southside.edu or visit www.southside.edu.

Washington

The Washington On-Site Sewage Association and Washington State Department of Health in cooperation with Washington State University are offering these certification courses at the Puyallup training center unless stated otherwise:

Feb. 6 – Electrical Control Panels, Spokane

Feb. 20 – Design Siting, Vancouver

Feb. 21 – First Aid/CPR

Feb. 26-27 – Using WAC 246-272A, Mt. Vernon

March 13 – Troubleshooting Onsite Systems

March 20 – Design/Install Subsurface Drip

March 21 – First Aid/CPR

March 27 – Advanced Soils

Call 253/770-6594 or visit www.wossa.org.