DecentralizedWastewater.org Newsletter for September 2025
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Happy SepticSmart Week!
It's here! Though we are always excited for SepticSmart Week, this one was extra fun to prepare for here at DecentralizedWastewater.org. We produced two big new pieces of content: a special episode of Tap Talk and a blog post compiling septic disaster stories that might have been averted by following SepticSmart rules. Both of these projects were wonderful opportunities for collaboration: On the podcast, we had on two guests and friends from RCAP Solutions; and for the blog post, we worked with the US EPA's SepticSmart Week planning group to collect the disaster stories from industry partners across the country. Find the links to these projects further down the newsletter!
Before we get there, we want to plug the SepticSmart materials at the EPA one more time. We might collectively all think about them the most during this particular week or month of the year, but they are available and useful all year round! Make sure you bookmark these materials and think about how you can distribute them to those who need them whenever they need them.
Finally, if you want to engage with us during this SepticSmart Week, please feel free to interact with us on our social media accounts (linked at the end of this newsletter) or correspond with us via email at info@decentralizedwastewater.org. We would love to talk with you about how to spread the SepticSmart message more widely this week and every week!
|
| SepticSmart Week at the US EPA » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TT061 – Exploring Septic System Best Practices
for SepticSmart Week 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tap Talk Season 6 is here, and we're kicking it off with a celebration of SepticSmart Week! In TT061, we’re brought our listeners a special early release episode with Jim Starbard and Andrew Evans of RCAP Solutions. Jim and Andrew helped us ring in both the new season and SepticSmart Week by sharing stories of onsite wastewater/septic system challenges they have worked on around New England.
They remind us that while the roots of some septic issues are certainly complex, others can be very simple — but still cause massive headaches for system users and the environment. Listen to learn how to better take care of onsite and septic systems!
Season 6 of Tap Talk will resume later this week, when we welcome Steve Harrison and Jeff Sober to the show to discuss the WEFTEC Operations Challenge!
|
| 🎧 Listen Here » |
|
|
|
|
Septic System Disasters: Cautionary Tales from the Tank |
|
|
|
As we mentioned above, this special SepticSmart Week blog post was a collaborative effort! Many thanks to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; the Hawai‘i State Department of Health, the US EPA; and the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association for providing us with the stories we compiled here. There are many ways to invite septic disaster — from a single "flushable" wipe to forgetting to pump your tank to losing track of your drainfield dimensions, and beyond.
Despite this range of scenarios, following the SepticSmart rules always helps reduce the risk of disaster!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Us at WEFTEC in Two Weeks!
|
|
|
 |
|
Are you attending this year’s WEFTEC in Chicago at the end of this month? Of course, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) has long been an organization primarily focused on municipal wastewater treatment and water quality, but they are gradually branching out into covering more topics concerning decentralized wastewater in their WEFTEC programming.
If you're still on the fence about deciding to go, it's not too late to register, and make sure to check out their technical sessions in the decentralized realm in the 2025 conference agenda. And if you are there, stop by the WaterOperator.org booth in the exhibition hall to talk to our programs' teams and check out our displays on the Illinois State Water Survey's historical wastewater treatment research! We will be at Booth #5836 in McCormick Place's North Building, and we look forward to helping welcome you to Chicago and our great home state of Illinois.
|
| More Info » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Featured Webinars & Training |
|
|
|
Septic System Basics
September 16 | 12:00 pm ET | Penn State Extension
Celebrate SepticSmart Week by joining Penn State Extension for Septic System Basics, a free webinar kicking off a septic series. Designed for homeowners, property managers, and anyone new to septic systems — or those in need of a refresher—the session will cover the essential components of septic system function, care, and maintenance.
Register here »
|
|
|
|
Being Septic Smart
September 16 | 6:30 pm CT | University of Minnesota Water Resources Center Onsite Sewage Treatment Program
This webinar, held annually during SepticSmart Week, teaches property owners the basics about how their septic systems work, including how to care for and maintain a septic system so it can function during or beyond its design lifetime.
Register here » |
|
|
|
Alternative Septic Systems
September 30 | 12:00 pm ET | Penn State Extension
Alternative septic systems are used when conventional systems are not feasible due to site conditions or regulatory requirements. Participants will examine the types of alternative systems available, how they differ from standard systems, and the unique maintenance considerations they require. The session will also highlight key factors to evaluate before installation, helping homeowners and professionals make informed decisions.
Register here » |
|
|
|
Private Well & Septic System Workshop
September 30 | 5:30 pm ET | East Palatka, FL |
UF/IFAS Extension
Join UF/IFAS Extension for an informative workshop designed for homeowners who rely on private wells and septic systems. Learn how to keep well water safe and systems working properly while protecting investments and human health.
Register here » |
|
|
|
Landscaping Around Septic Systems
October 14 | 12:00 pm ET | Penn State Extension
Repairing damaged septic tanks and drainfields can be expensive, but smart landscaping practices can help prevent these issues. In this webinar, participants will learn how to safely landscape around septic system components while maintaining their function and protecting long-term system health. The session will cover strategies to avoid root damage, soil compaction, and other common mistakes that can lead to costly repairs.
Register here » |
|
|
|
New to a Septic System –
What You Should Know to Protect Your System
October 15 | 12:00 pm ET | University of Maryland Extension
If you have just bought or moved into a home that has a septic system, there are important things you need to know to help keep the system functioning properly and as long as possible. This webinar will discuss the basic system types and the recommended maintenance practices to follow.
Register here » |
|
|
|
Site Characterization:
The Importance of Site Data Prior to System Design
October 15 | 1:00 pm ET | Infiltrator Water Technologies
Each project site is unique — and with that comes unique challenges to consider when designing an onsite wastewater treatment system. Taking the time up front to understand the challenges of a site, the expected use, as well as local and state regulatory requirements will prevent avoidable design changes or system upgrades. Specific case studies will be discussed to identify helpful approaches for site characterization for several onsite wastewater treatment systems.
Register here » |
|
|
|
|
Highlights from Onsite Installer
|
|
|
|
Your Guide to SepticSmart Week 2025
Onsite Installer has their own guide to SepticSmart Week! They also strongly recommend using the US EPA materials, in order to promote your own companies and to educate homeowners. There's also recommendations on engaging directly with your communities.
|
| Read Here » |
|
|
Important Dates in Environmental Health |
|
|
|
World Environmental Health Day: September 26
Make sure you mark World Environmental Health Day on your calendar! While the theme of this year's celebration is "Clean Air, Healthy People," everyone's rights to clean air and clean water (and functional sanitation!) go hand in hand. And, as WEHD's organizing body (the International Federation of Environmental Health) notes, the day is truly for all environmental health topics relevant wherever you are — It will be another great day to talk about the importance of maintaining septic systems and proper wastewater treatment!
|
| More Info Here » |
|
|
|
NEHA 2026 Annual Educational Conference Abstract Submissions Due: September 30
The National Environmental Health Association is now accepting abstract submissions for the 2026 Annual Educational Conference (AEC), which will be in Kansas City, Missouri, from August 3-6. NEHA invites environmental public health professionals, researchers, and thought leaders to share their work, data-driven research, and innovative community engagement strategies.
The deadline to submit is September 30, 2025.
|
| Listen Here » |
|
|
|
|
| The National Septage and Portable Sanitation Disposal Crisis
National Association of Wastewater Technicians
Following a national survey and in collaboration with the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association, the State Onsite Regulators Association, and the Portable Sanitation Association International; the National Association of Wastewater Technicians recently put out a white paper about the septage disposal crisis. The paper highlights rising costs, infrastructure limitations, and the urgent need for coordinated action from the public and industry stakeholders.
|
| Read the Paper » |
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
