DecentralizedWastewater.org Newsletter for July 2025
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
At NEHA? Come See Us!
Are you attending the National Environmental Health Association's Annual Educational Conference & Exhibition? If you are, make sure you say hi to our Program Director Steve Wilson and our Environmental Public Health Specialists Sallie Dolan & Sarah Manderbach!
Yesterday, Steve led the pre-conference session "Beneath the Surface: Advanced Insights into Groundwater, Soil, and Wastewater Systems for Private Water Protection." Tomorrow at 11:30 am, Sallie will be presenting the session "Empowering Private Well Owners: The first year of the Private Well Class Hotline and Help Center." We also have our booth in the exhibition hall, so please stop by and chat with us there!
There are several other sessions on well, septic, and groundwater topics in the educational agenda as well, so make sure you don't miss them either.
|
| AEC 2025 » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WIPPES Act Passes US House
|
|
|
|
|
|
Did you hear that the WIPPES Act passed the House last month? Also known as the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Act, this legislation will require wipe manufacturers to label their products as non-flushable to protect wastewater infrastructure from damage. The act still requires Senate approval before passage into law.
While the primary focus of the WIPPES Act is protecting municipal wastewater infrastructure, we all know that “flushable” wipes can also cause severe damage to septic systems, which can require costly repairs for homeowners. Therefore, implementing the WIPPES Act would likely also save many septic systems around the country from costly maintenance or replacement.
|
| Read More » |
|
|
|
|
Apply for NOWRA's Emerging Professionals Scholarship |
 |
|
NOWRA is seeking applicants for their 2025 Emerging Professionals Scholarships! The scholarship supports the professional development of both young and early career professionals in the sector. Two applicants will receive the scholarship, based on their aspirations and commitment to onsite/decentralized wastewater.
Applicants must be enrolled at least part time in a trade school, university, or college while pursuing a degree or certification in a topic related to wastewater treatment and/or environmental policy and management. Applicants must be under 35 years of age or have less than 5 years of experience in the onsite wastewater field.
The application window will close at 11:59 pm ET on August 15, 2025. The scholarship recipients will be announced at the 2025 Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference in Sandusky, Ohio.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private Well Class Septic 101 Webinar Recording |
|
|
 |
|
Last week, our sister program PrivateWellClass.org held their annual Septic 101 webinar for homeowners and well & environmental health professionals. The recording is now available to watch and share!
By watching the webinar recording, viewers will learn about septic system management as part of a larger strategy to protect the water in private wells. Using best practices to maintain septic systems can also keep it them proper working order and prolong their useful lives. The webinar addresses questions such as:
- What is safe to flush down drains,
- If additives are needed in septic tanks, and
- How to prolong the life of a system.
|
| Watch Here » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Featured Webinars & Training |
|
|
|
Sampling Onsite Wastewater Systems
July 16 | 1:00 pm ET | Infiltrator Water Technologies
This webinar will discuss various aspects of sampling including: when and why to collect samples, field evaluation challenges, pre-screening using test strips, and proper sampling techniques.
Register here »
|
|
|
|
Septic Systems and Sea Level Rise in Maryland:
The Where, the How, and the So What
July 22 | 12:00 pm ET | SERCAP and additional partners
Coastal Maryland faces growing challenges as rising seas and frequent flooding threaten thousands of septic systems, particularly in low-lying areas like Dorchester and Somerset counties. This webinar brings together researchers and practitioners to explore the spatial extent of septic vulnerability, health and environmental risks from system failures, and the socioeconomic impacts on affected communities. Presenters will share new analyses on flood exposure projections, public health data, and the trade-offs of infrastructure solutions, such as sewer expansion.
Register here »
|
|
|
|
Keeping Wastewater Costs Down in Pennsylvania
July 23 | 9:00 am PT | Orenco Systems
The area around Potters Mills, a village in central Pennsylvania, has a long history of failing septic systems. The village needed an effective, affordable wastewater treatment system that was easy to install, operate, and maintain. Learn how Orenco was able to help the community address these needs at this webinar.
Register here » |
|
|
|
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Concepts + Procurement Process Recommendations
August 7 | 9:00 am ET | RCAP Solutions
This online training provides an overview of basic onsite wastewater treatment systems concepts, including anaerobic and aerobic processes. Special attention will be given to septic tanks and aerobic treatment units (ATUs) that are most common in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The training will also provide recommendations on the process of acquiring new systems, including the procurement process, most frequent steps, price requests, contracting, and selection.
Register here » |
|
|
|
Septic System Operation and Maintenance
July 24 or August 14 | Communities Unlimited
These two training sessions for homeowners, septic installers, and decentralized wastewater operators will cover the different components of a septic system and their maintenance needs.
Decentralized Wastewater 101
August 12 | | Communities Unlimited
Homeowners, technical assistance providers, and any other interested parties should attend this training as it will cover the various types of decentralized wastewater systems and how they work.
Register here »
|
|
|
|
|
Highlights from Onsite Installer Magazine
|
|
|
|
Another Technology for Your Toolkit
This article examines membrane bioreactors, a technology that can offer big solutions in small places. MBRs are a newer type of ATU that are becoming increasingly common in small-scale systems. Sara Heger explains how they support bacteria, what happens inside them, and their most crucial characteristics.
|
| Read Here » |
|
|
|
|
|
Managing Decentralized Wastewater Systems in Mobile Home Parks
In this episode of the Environmental Finance Center Network podcast, host Danish Kumar speaks with Jennifer Egan, Program Manager at the UMD EFC about the issue of wastewater management in mobile home parks and rural communities. They explore the challenges posed by aging septic systems, deferred maintenance, and complex ownership structures, particularly in low-income areas. The episode offers practical advice for park managers and system operators on how to track maintenance, identify early warning signs, and plan for long-term resilience.
|
| Listen Here » |
|
|
|
|
| The Onsite Journal, Summer 2025
National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association
NOWRA's latest edition of their Onsite Journal covers Homeowner Education Pilot Workshops, reduced disposal areas using secondarily treated effluent, reverse osmosis with residential wastewater treatment, emerging legislative issues, and more. |
|
|
|
|
Follow Us On Social Media! |
|
Don't forgot to follow us on our new social media accounts! Give us a follow on Facebook, X/Twitter, and LinkedIn to stay connected with our program and other opportunities around the industry. Find our pages at these links ⬇️ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Visit our other websites: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click here to unsubscribe | Sent to: _t.e.s.t_@example.com
Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, Champaign, IL 61820, United States |
|
|
