Onsite Activation

[Josefa Palsgrove]

Thisupdate of the 1980 Design Manual: Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems was developed to provide supplemental and new information for wastewater treatment professionals in both the public and private sectors. This manual is not intended to replace the previous manual, but rather to further explore and discuss recent developments in treatment technologies, system design, and long-term system management. The information in the chapters that follow is provided in response to several calls for a more focused approach to onsite wastewater treatment and onsite system management. Congress has expressed interest in the status of site level approaches for treating wastewater, and the Executive Branch has issued directives for moving forward with improving both the application of treatment technologies and management of the systems installed. The 1980 design manual provides basic technical information on generic types of onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems and can be used as a reference document in conjunction with the current manual.

Located at the DMACC Ankeny campus, the Training Center includes numerous displays of onsite wastewater technology. Training is also provided at various other statewide locations throughout the year. Onsite wastewater training is designed for county sanitarians, septic system installers, pumpers and designers, but is open to everyone.

Anyone interested in becoming a certified time of transfer inspector must complete the application form on the Iowa DNR website. Once your application is approved by the Iowa DNR, you must sign up for and complete the Time of Transfer Inspector Certification Class offered by DMACC or by calling DMACC at 515-964-6800 or 800-342-0033.

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An estimated 25 percent of homes in Missouri rely on an onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) in areas where public sewers are not available. Onsite systems treat wastewater and disperse it on the property where it is generated. When functioning properly, onsite systems prevent human contact with sewage, and prevent contamination of surface and groundwater. Factors that affect the proper functioning of onsite systems include the site and soil conditions, design, installation, operation, and maintenance.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has set minimum state standards for OWTS. These standards cover new systems and major changes to existing systems. Some examples of major changes are replacing a sewage tank, and replacing or expanding an absorption field. These standards became effective in January 1996.

Generally, a permit must be obtained before starting construction or repair work. However, certain residential properties may be exempt from state permitting requirements. When authority is based on a local ordinance, regulation can be more restrictive than the state standard; check with your local authority. In most counties, the local health department issues OWTS construction permits. In the other counties the authority is another agency, such as a sewer district, building department, or planning and zoning department.

There are over 1600 registered onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) installers, of which about 780 are registered to install advanced systems. About 53 soil evaluators and about 20 percolation testers can do soil testing. Also, over 250 licensed onsite inspectors/evaluators are licensed to inspect or evaluate onsite systems at the time of a property sale. These OWTS professionals are registered for a three (3) year period. Unless they complete approved continuing education and the renewal process, as required, their professional registration expires at the end of that period. In addition, the program provides training and technical assistance to county environmental staff.

Public health and the environment are protected when new OWTSs are constructed, and failing systems are repaired or replaced, using criteria equal to or better than Missouri's Minimum Construction Standards. Homeowner understanding of the need for regular maintenance and proper operation of their OWTS is important for long-term system performance and public health protection.

Any individual performing a major modification, repair, or installing a new OWTS must be registered with DHSS. These OWTS professional are provided an ID card which can be requested for verification after completing the required trainings.

The content of State of Missouri websites originate in English. If there are differences between the English content and its translation, the English content is always the mostaccurate. By selecting a language from the Google Translate menu, the user accepts the legal implications of any misinterpretations or differences in the translation.

The Onsite Wastewater Program's mission is to prevent untreated or improperly treated sewage from being discharged into the environment and thus to protect the health of the citizens of Louisiana. The program licenses and regulates onsite wastewater treatment system installers, haulers, sub-manufacturers, and manufacturers of wastewater systems in this state. Sanitarians located in the health units of each parish serve to inform, advise, and operate a permitting system with regard to onsite sewage treatment. Select the Parish Health Units link from the left menu bar to search for contact information for the local health units.

Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants Information - USDA Rural Development has a loan and grant program available for homeowners who need financial assistance for maintaining or replacing a failing sewage treatment system. This is not a program of the Louisiana Department of Health.

As the field of onsite non-potable water systems is evolving, the commission is committed to staying abreast of new science and new approaches. We are inclusive of input from interested stakeholders as we learn together and share policy approaches, best management practices, and standards for onsite non-potable systems.

To foster a policy and regulatory environment that supports implementation of onsite non-potable water programs, the commission will develop guidance and model policies that establish a framework for water quality criteria, monitoring and reporting requirements, and operational and permitting strategies that are based on risk-based science and honor local context.

Successful onsite non-potable water systems rely on a strong and supportive utility partner. We will capture promising strategies and lessons learned to demonstrate how utilities can use ONWS to meet their One Water goals.

The Soil and Onsite Sewage Branch's main objective is to coordinate the onsite sewage program in the county health departments. The branch is one of three branches within the Community Environmental Protection (CEP) Division.

The Division of Community Environmental Protection (CEP) carries out programs to minimize the adverse effects of the disposal of sewage and high-strength sewage on human health and the environment by establishing and enforcing requirements for the design, permitting, installation, approval, and use of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems.

ADPH asks Lowndes County residents with straight pipes or with septic tanks that do not work properly to visit the Lowndes County Septic System Program web page or contact (334) 206-5373 to get information about getting a septic system designed, and installed, or repaired so that it works with your property's soil. Read our news release for more information.

The Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnerships (TAPs) provide direct technical assistance to industrial facilities and other large energy users with identifying and implementing technology options for achieving site-specific energy objectives. Technical assistance for end users can include a broad range of services in support of onsite energy project deployment, from the earliest stages of screening for multi-technology solutions, to the end stages of post-installation operation. The Onsite Energy TAPs also conduct outreach and engage with policymakers, utilities, and other key stakeholders to accelerate pathways for integration of clean onsite energy technologies. Additional activities include developing public tools and resources, sharing best practices, and building partnerships that drive decarbonization across the U.S. industrial sector.

NOWRA is the largest organization in the U.S. dedicated to representing the onsite and decentralized wastewater industry. We work to protect water resources and promote the economic, environmental, and public health benefits of septic systems.

This issue features two stories from "down under" - one, about the successful design and implementation of a decentralized treatment system for Australia's Woodford Folk Festival site; the other, about a colorful Aussie work shirt brand that is starting conversations about mental health in trade industries. Also read the latest on NOWRA's lobbying efforts, state updates, NOWRA online courses, and the upcoming Mega-Conference.

In this issue, learn about efforts to solve sanitation challenges in rural Alabama and the latest on federal funding for onsite programs. See updates from our state affiliates and be sure to read our wrap-up of the 2023 Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference to get excited for the 2024 conference, happening October 20-23 in Spokane, Washington!

Mark your calendar! SepticSmart Week is September 16-20, 2024. Each year the EPA uses SepticSmart Week to reach out to homeowners and communities, to care for and maintain their septic systems. Learn more about septic system care and maintenance and practice year round. View EPA's 2023 Press Release.

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