The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association’s 21st Annual Technical and Education Conference will focus on a variety of water issues, including those related to wastewater management in New England, the Northeast, and the Mid-Atlantic (EPA regions 1, 2 and 3).
Co-hosted by the Yankee Onsite Wastewater Association and held at the Biltmore Hotel in Providence, R.I., April 2-5, the conference will highlight innovative technologies and stormwater best management practices that are part of the onsite wastewater recycling world. Educational sessions include the 4th Northeast Onsite Short Course featuring NOWRA’s A to Z course taught by Sara Heger and Tom Fritts, a technology track, and a track focusing on New England issues.
“Attendees will find the challenges similar to those faced by many policymakers and professionals in wastewater management across the country,” says NOWRA executive director Eric Casey. “For example, the issue surrounding Cape Cod is how small communities will deal with failing onsite systems and the cost of replacing them.
“In Connecticut, the issue is regulators disputing with contractors over how to install onsite systems. The Rhode Island legislature banned cesspools, but the issue there is the unwillingness of authorities to enforce it.”
More than 30 vendors will showcase their offerings in the Trade Hall. An additional attraction will be Onsite Jeopardy, a game show complete with buzzers. Attendees will be given clues to questions asked during the game, but they must find the answers by visiting vendors. The winner receives $500 in cash.
A variety of field trips will give attendees a firsthand look at onsite wastewater and stormwater problems and solutions. For more information, visit www.nowra.org.
