There’s a fundamental problem with frequent criticism of decentralized wastewater treatment by politicians whose municipalities are constantly seeking to expand the reach of their public sewer systems. Headlines in newspapers and TV news reporters parrot those who are promoting sewer expansion.

“Septic systems are to blame for water-quality issues,’’ the critics say, assigning blame for nonpoint pollution problems to all septic systems in an environmentally sensitive area. Their next response? One county in Florida recently stiffened its rules for new onsite projects, dropping the allowable daily flow from the state’s maximum of 10,000 gpd to 2,000 gpd for all larger systems.

Nobody in the onsite industry would argue aging septic systems aren’t one cause of pollution in sensitive areas like the Chesapeake Bay region along the East Coast. Onsite professionals constantly advocate for better monitoring of these private treatment systems and requirements to repair or replace failing systems. They’ve been fighting an uphill battle for tougher regulations for years, saying oversight of onsite systems is the right thing to do to protect the environment and our critical drinking water supplies and recreational waterways.

MISSING THE POINT

But critics are missing an important point about effective treatment: The concern shouldn’t be over how many gallons a system is allowed to treat. It’s about how many gallons it can treat effectively. The general public, and I’ll include local government politicians in that group, simply don’t understand the capabilities of today’s onsite wastewater treatment systems.

They don’t realize that in 2016, systems can be designed to effectively treat 2,000 gallons or 10,000 gallons or more. Advanced technologies can produce effluent clean enough to safely recharge local groundwater aquifers. I can’t stress this enough: It’s not about reducing the flow and slowing the usage of onsite systems. The issue is about pinpointing failing systems and utilizing all the advanced technologies available to repair or replace them.

I asked Jim Anderson, co-author of our Basic Training column in Onsite Installer, for his opinion about the drastic cut in the maximum allowable flow in Florida. “Performance is what should matter,’’ he said, adding that there are often other factors at play in these political battles — including controlling development and pressure to extend the big pipe. These other factors tend to overshadow the known effectiveness of decentralized wastewater systems.

“We have products and systems that provide the desired performance. We have a well-trained professional group that sites, installs and services these products or systems to make sure they are performing,’’ Anderson continued. “We have a county staff that works closely with professionals that are also well trained to fix problems as they arise.’’

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

So why does the message of the onsite naysayers often come through louder and clearer and command more media attention than experts in the onsite field?

“This type of thing plays out all across the country,’’ Anderson said. “We have to have the information and the data available to challenge these types of moves as an industry. In my view, it takes everyone working together.’’

Amen to that, Jim. Public education is the answer to forging a better understanding of onsite wastewater treatment in our towns and counties. With that goal in mind, here are a few steps installers can take to help:

Keep SepticSmart going all year long

Set up strong lines of communication with your local health department and offer to lead a consumer education effort. Health officials or your County Extension office would be a good place to start reaching out to homeowners about the proper care and maintenance of septic systems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency four years ago started a program called SepticSmart Week in September and it has gained a growing following. Many wastewater professionals have jumped on the bandwagon and planned public outreach programs for that week. There’s no reason installers can’t continue to offer septic seminars or work with homeowner groups the rest of the year.
 
Talk with your elected local officials

If you catch wind of a controversy over failing septic systems or a large development that seeks to utilize onsite technology, don’t just sit at your kitchen table and read about the political battle in your newspaper. Get involved! Call your county supervisor or town chairman. Tell them you’re ready, willing and able to explain the nuts and bolts of these treatment systems. Remember you are the expert and can play a valuable role in helping your neighbors understand wastewater issues. Your reassurances can tamp down these burning issues and calm fears.

Change minds one at a time

Take the time to explain all the benefits of private wastewater treatment to potential customers. This means going beyond simply walking the backyard with customers and handing over an estimate. Craft a presentation that tells the technology success story of onsite systems. Explain how you can produce cleaner water with a smaller, more reliable system than a generation ago. This protects the homeowner’s biggest investment, protects their family and helps the environment.

Keep sharpening your skills

Onsite technology is evolving all the time, so installers can’t rest on their laurels when it comes to continuing education. Get involved with your state and national wastewater trade association and foster partnerships with manufacturers to promote product demonstrations. Attend industry events like the WWETT Show and learn about new systems and components.

Once you learn the capabilities of a new technology, don’t shy away from telling local regulators about it. Make sure you stay on top of continuing education credits and don’t stop when you fulfill the minimum requirement. Seek to be the most informed installer in your region.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

What have I missed? If you have more ideas about how we can better promote the onsite industry to neighbors, local officials and the general public, now is the time to share. Drop me a line at editor@onsiteinstaller.com and I will broadcast them through this column.