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From the Trenches #28
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DecentralizedWastewater.org Newsletter for April 2026

WWETT Show 2027 Call for Presentations Closes May 1


A promotional graphic for the WWETT Show 2027. February 22-25, 2027. Indianapolis, Indiana.

The WWETT Show 2026 was just a few months ago, but it's not too early to start looking forward to next year's show! The Call for Presentations is open, and the show is seeking both new and experienced speakers to present engaging sessions at WWETT27, scheduled for February 22-25, in Indianapolis, Indiana.


Topics of interest include:

  • Septic systems & OSTDS

  • Sewer & pipe cleaning, inspection, rehab & maintenance

  • Portable sanitation

  • Plumbing

  • Wastewater treatment

  • Waste hauling

  • Vacuum truck operation

  • Business strategy

  • Safety

  • Sustainability

All presentation submissions are due by Friday, May 1, 2026. Read more about the requirements, expectations, and benefits of presenting at the WWETT Show website.


More Information »



Submit Comments on the International Code Council's Proposed Private Sewage Disposal Systems Standard

The logo for the International Code Council.


The International Code Council is developing a new industry standard for residential onsite wastewater treatment systems, "ICC 825: Private Sewage Disposal Systems Standard." 


The standard is currently in draft form and is out for public review. If you would like to review the draft and submit any comments, the deadline is April 27, 2026. The ICC has reached out to professionals both across the United States and the world in order to gather diverse perspectives.


The primary goal of the standard is to address residential onsite wastewater treatment design, construction, materials, and location. In doing so, ICC 825 would increase the resiliency of wastewater systems to extreme weather events, address safe wastewater disposal and reuse, and feature a decision support tool for selecting a wastewater system.

More about ICC 825 »
Read the draft standard »
Submit your comments »

Less Than a Week Left to Register for the 
Private Well Conference 2026

A promotional graphic for the Private Well Conference.

If you are planning on joining us in Missoula next month for the Private Well Conference, be sure to register ASAP! Registration will close next week, on April 20, 2026. 


The conference's mission is to serve those who work with wells by providing valuable information and insights that can be taken home to benefit well owners across the country. If you are health department staff, lab personnel, an extension educator, an environmental health professional, an academic researcher, or any other sort of professional that may happen to work with both private wells and septic systems, you are exactly who we want to see! 


The full agenda was recently released on our website. Transportation and hotel information is also available among the links listed here. 


Conference registration is free, but registration is required for attendance. A block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown has been reserved at a special conference rate.


Please register and book your hotel room by April 20, 2026.

Register to join us »
About the conference »
See the agenda »
Book your hotel room »
See transportation information »


Tap Talk Season 7 Debuts April 16

The promotional graphic for the podcast "Tap Talk: The Drinking Water in Rural America Podcast.".

Season 7 of "Tap Talk: The Drinking Water in Rural America Podcast" will debut tomorrow, April 16! Check back in to any of our programs' social feeds or the Tap Talk website tomorrow to catch Episode #73, which features Associated Press water & environment reporter Michael Phillis.


And if you can't wait until tomorrow, head to our website now to revisit past episodes! 

🎧 See Tap Talk episodes here »

Featured Blog Posts

A promotional graphic for the 2026 Private Well Conference. The left half of the image shows water in a well bucket, and the right half shares the conference details: May 19-21, 2026, in Missoula, Montana.

Join Us at the 2026 Private Well Conference!

Water pools in the grass of a home's yard after a high amount of rainfall.

Septic Systems and the Water Table

Featured Webinars & Training

TN – Decentralized Wastewater 101

April 16 | 10:00 am ET | Communities Unlimited


This training offers the attendee with the knowledge of what a decentralized wastewater system is, its major parts and functions, and maintenance best practices. The training will also include examples of the various types of decentralized systems utilized for wastewater treatment.


Register here »


The logo for the nonprofit Communities Unlimited.
The logo for the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership.
The logo for the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association.

O&M Training Decentralized Systems

April 21-23 | Madison, WI | GLCAP & NOWRA


GLCAP & NOWRA will host this in-person training on septic system management, including O&M, monitoring, and troubleshooting. The course describes fundamental concepts of wastewater characteristics and treatment processes and illustrates the importance of periodic operation and maintenance to ensure longevity and optimal performance.


Register here »


Choosing Tanks, Risers, and Lids

April 29 | 9 am PT | Orenco Systems


In this webinar, Orenco will discuss why quality tanks, risers, and lids are necessary; and explain how to use them to help wastewater treatment systems function at peak performance levels.


Register here »

The logo for Orenco Systems.
The logo for the nonprofit Communities Unlimited.

From Problem to Plan: Understanding and Financing Your Well and Septic Components

May 5 | 6 pm CT | Communities Unlimited


This free online training will cover the responsibility and unexpected costs of owning private wells and/or septic systems. Attendees will learn how to identify common problems and risks, understand options for repairs or upgrades, and access to affordable financing designed specifically for rural homeowners.


Register here »

Understanding Septic Systems from Basics to Best Practices

May 6 | 1:00 pm or 4:00 pm ET | RCAP Solutions


At this pair of free, two-hour online trainings, attendees can learn the basics of how decentralized wastewater systems work and what to do to keep them running safely and efficiently. RCAP Solutions will cover system components, everyday maintenance tips, common myths, what to do in an emergency, and when advanced treatment technologies may be needed. 


Register for 1 pm » || Register for 4 pm »

The logo for RCAP Solutions.
The logo for the Rural Community Assistance Corporation.

Understanding & Maintaining Your Septic System

May 13 | Yakima, WA | RCAC


At this free training, homeowners can learn how to operate and maintain their septic systems to protect community health and the environment. Identification of potentials problems, drain field protection, and proper waste disposal will also be covered.


Register here »

Find More on the Event Calendar

Highlights from Pumper Magazine

The logo for Onsite Installer magazine.

Unpacking ATU Septic Treatment


There's a wide variety of aerobic treatment units (ATUs) out there for septic designers and homeowners to choose from. To better understand the differences in brands and configurations, head to this breakdown of ATU septic treatment in Onsite Installer


Read here »

Drop of Knowledge on Decentralized Wastewater

Do you follow the Rural Community Assistance Partnership's 'Drop of Knowledge' newsletters? One of their recent editions was focused primarily on decentralized wastewater and septic systems — Check it out to see items on a Montana case study on the long-term effects of decentralized wastewater treatment, the operation of wetland septic systems, and more from RCAP's technical assistance providers.


Read here »
The header for the Rural Community Assistance Partnership's "Drop of Knowledge" newsletters.

Featured Document

The front page of the research paper "University Extension's Role in Onsite Sewage Management Education.".
University Extension's Role in Onsite Sewage Management Education


In this report from last year's Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference, read about how university extension programs support education & outreach for onsite sewage management systems. It highlights the University of Georgia's Cooperative Extension model, and shows how extension leverages statewide networks to provide hands-on training and information. Translating research into accessible formats and partnering with local agencies is often a key factor in extension systems' raising public awareness of onsite sewage management.


Read here »

Septic Tanks in the News


Visit our other websites:

WaterOperator.org
PrivateWellClass.org

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