Onsite Wastewater Challenges | Onsite Overview #5

Using and maintaining decentralized wastewater treatment systems comes with its own unique challenges. Luckily, there are plenty of resources online that can assist in the troubleshooting process for any issues that arise. We have compiled a list of resources to get you started if you are interested in learning more about the challenges that accompany maintaining an onsite wastewater treatment system.

Our best resources on this topic:

Looking Back & Moving Forward | National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association
This 29-slide presentation from NOWRA's 2022 Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference provides a brief history of the application of decentralized onsite systems in rural America and highlights the challenges these legacy systems are currently facing. The presentation also details the water shortage challenges experienced across the country and highlights the need for better wastewater management to reduce the impact on our dwindling aquifers.

Using Nationwide and Local Data Sources to Address Decentralized Wastewater Infrastructure Challenges in the Contiguous U.S. and the Caribbean | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This 1-hour, 6-minute webinar recording explores solutions to data gaps on both national and local levels. In Puerto Rico, natural disasters including hurricanes, tropical storms, and earthquakes have accelerated the need to establish baseline information on septic systems. EPA, through the Caribbean Septic Systems Workgroup, is leading these efforts to assist state and local departments gather data to support planning and access funds to help residents.

Design Challenges with Liquid Effluent Collection | National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association
This 21-page presentation from NOWRA's 2023 Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference describes the advantages and disadvantages of using a Septic Tank Effluent Pump system (vs. a gravity system) for the transport of onsite wastewater to multiple tanks for disposal. 

Innovative Approaches to Address Decentralized Wastewater Infrastructure in the Alabama Black Belt | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This 2-hour, 2-minute webinar explores proposed solutions for the technological, regulatory, and management challenges of adequate decentralized wastewater management in the Black Belt, as well as progress made on current funding initiatives. The intended audiences for this webinar include decentralized and wastewater industry practitioners, engineers, public health agencies and practitioners, academia, government and municipalities, community and nonprofit organizations, and environmental justice advocates.

OSTDS Design & Install Challenges | National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association
This 164-page presentation from NOWRA's 2023 Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference focuses on Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU) Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS) and Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) Drainfield, as well as Performance Based Treatment System (PBTS) OSTDS and Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) Drainfield. The use of these systems is shown with examples of sites that are very small for the size of the home or business, increased wastewater flow, soil conditions or other conditions that are not suitable for a typical treatment system.

How to find more resources on this topic on our website?
If you are interested in looking through our database for the other resources on this topic follow the instructions below:

1. Select "CATEGORY" in the dropdown then choose "Decentralized WW Systems." 
2. Once you make that selection, a second dropdown will appear where you can choose "TYPE" if you are looking for a specific kind of resource (videos, factsheets, etc.)
3. Optional: In the Keyword Filter, you can type a specific word or phrase to target the search even further.
4. The last step is to click the "Retrieve Documents" button to see your results.  

Health and Safety for Onsite Workers | Onsite Overview #2

Onsite professionals are exposed to many dangers on the job, and it is important to be aware of all the appropriate health and safety precautions that will keep workers (as well as the general public) safe. Outside of the day-to-day risks that decentralized wastewater workers must face, there is also the concern of public and environmental health when septic systems are not maintained and repaired correctly. We have compiled a list of resources to get you started if you are interested in learning more about decentralized wastewater systems and how they can affect health and safety.

Our best resources on this topic:
“More Than Just Dirty” Pathogen Exposures to Workers in the On-Site Industry | Washington Onsite Sewage Association
This 107-slide presentation provides research results on a study conducted to examine pathogen exposures to workers in the on-site industry, discuss the various types of pathogen exposures and health impacts, what kind of personal protective equipment (PPE) is available to on-site workers, and basic hygiene practices to reduce risks from handling human waste.

Septic Tank Lid Safety | Washington State Department of Health
This 1-page fact sheet has a list of 7 precautions to make sure no one accidently falls into your septic tank. This includes knowing where your septic system lids or covers are located, use bolts, screws, or other locks to secure the lids and prevent easy access, teach children that the septic tank lids are not to be played on or opened.

What is a Cesspool? | Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations
This 3-minute video describes what cesspools are, and why they need to be converted. Basically, a cesspool is a hole in the ground receiving untreated wastewater. Cesspools pollute the environment and endanger public health. The focus is on Hawaii since they have the greatest number of cesspools per capita for a total of 83,000 in the state that are planned to be converted by 2050.

Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Can Protect the Environment, Public Health, and Water Quality | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This 2-page fact sheet describes how a decentralized wastewater treatment system can provide reliable wastewater treatment, reduce conventional pollutants, nutrients, and emerging contaminants, and mitigate contamination and health risks associated with wastewater. A case study on where this worked is also provided.

The Need to Mandate Openings at Surface on Septic Tanks | National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association
This 20-page presentation points out the common problem with access to septic tanks. Septic tanks are often installed without clear indications as to their locations and/or depths, creating several issues that should be addressed in order to properly maintain our waste management systems. Potential risks include the contamination of groundwater as potential injury to workers, homeowners, and the general public. The proposed solution is to install risers with covers to the surface as a reasonable way to assure proper maintenance.

How to find more resources on this topic on our website?
If you are interested in looking through our database for the other resources on this topic follow the instructions below:

1. Select "CATEGORY" in the dropdown then choose "Decentralized WW Systems." 
2. Once you make that selection, a second dropdown will appear where you can choose "TYPE" if you are looking for a specific kind of resource (videos, factsheets, etc.)
3. Optional: In the Keyword Filter, you can type a specific word or phrase to target the search even further.
4. The last step is to click the "Retrieve Documents" button to see your results.