The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association’s 18th Annual Technical Conference & Expo felt the effects of the economy, but that didn’t keep the attendees and exhibitors from marking more steps forward for the onsite industry.
The conference, held at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee, Wis., April 6-9, drew about 250 attendees to 39 exhibits and three-plus days of technical sessions, panel discussions, field trips and networking. Attendance was down by about one-third from 2008. Here are some highlights:
A mascot for onsite?
None other than the U.S. EPA is planning a national public education program to raise homeowners’ awareness of their septic systems and enlist them as partners in proper system usage and maintenance.
Don’t look for many specifics yet, as the program is now under review through EPA channels. However, reports Joyce Hudson, senior environmental engineer with the EPA Office of Wastewater Management, the agency hired a consultant to conduct consumer research and develop a program that could end up including a slogan, a mascot, simple messaging, and a variety of communication materials. Watch for more information as this program unfolds.
The economy head-on
A special workshop on Thursday morning focused on “Weathering the Economic Storm.” There was acknowledgement that the industry’s professions have seen cutbacks in work, dramatic in some cases. A panel of manufacturers, installers, O&M providers and policy advocates discussed strategies in areas such as protecting revenue streams, entering new markets, refining business practices, and diversifying.
The group explored topics such as seeking funding for cluster systems through publicly owned treatment provisions, receiving subsidies from the federal economic stimulus package, diverting state revolving funds into homeowner loans, and seeking subsidies for green schools, universities, multifamily housing projects, public buildings, military bases and other projects where sustainable wastewater treatment and reuse systems should be part of the project.
A new tagline
NOWRA is using a new tagline, “People Caring About Water.” It showed up in a presentation that association president Tom Groves and others gave during a business session on Wednesday, April 8.
The report stated that NOWRA now has 5,250 members, about 18 percent of them installers (still the largest constituency). Other major membership groups include O&M service providers, 14 percent; contractors, 13 percent; designers, 8 percent; government and regulatory officials, 6 percent; and consulting engineers, 6 percent. The membership includes 24 affiliate groups — 22 in the United States and two in Canada.
Items on NOWRA’s strategic agenda, according to Groves, include a new e-newsletter, more activity in state and federal government affairs, creation of a resource library, a revamped Web site capable of more e-commerce, greater focus on greening the onsite industry, more partnerships and joint conferences, and a funding structure that is less dependent on membership dues.
Steps forward in training
A Wednesday presentation from Bruce Lesikar of Texas A&M University described training materials for installation and startup of onsite wastewater treatment systems, developed by the Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment (CIDWT).
The materials describe the basic knowledge, skills and abilities that installers should have. The training program promotes uniformity in practitioner training and supports installer credentialing. The project was funded by the U.S. EPA through the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF).
A writing team of professionals from across the country wrote the training materials, which then went through peer review and pilot testing. A Project Review Group provided oversight and monitored progress. The training manual will be available through Midwest Plan Service in July 2009. More information is available from Lesikar at blesikar@tamu.edu.
Out exploring
The event that got the best reviews among show attendees was Monday’s tour of five decentralized treatment systems in the Milwaukee area. Those who took part came back well impressed by the technologies and innovation on display.
The highlight of the trip seemed to be the Cabela’s outdoor and sporting goods store northwest of Milwaukee. This huge retail outlet, built as a tourist attraction in its own right, uses a system of aerobic treatment units with drip distribution. Other sites included a 100-home subdivision served by ATUs and mounds, a commercial development with mounds, a high school with a constructed wetland and mounds, and a renovated system at a condominium complex.
Drugs in the water
The effect of traces of pharmaceuticals and personal-care products in the drinking water supply is an area of growing concern, and it was the focus of Monday’s NOWRA conference program. A series of speakers addressed the issue from various viewpoints, and then a panel discussion solicited ideas on how NOWRA can have a positive influence on the issue.
New tools for the industry
The exhibit hall revealed a variety of new products making their way into the onsite business. Look for the highlights in a special article elsewhere in this issue. The most compelling new offering was the E-Z Perk system, which automates the age-old process of percolation testing.
Looking to 2010
NOWRA will hold its 19th Annual conference March 22-25, 2010, in St. Louis, Mo. The conference will highlight comprehensive wastewater planning with a focus on integrating decentralized and centralized options. Watch for more information on the association Web site at www.nowra.org.
