DecentralizedWastewater.org Newsletter for March 2025
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Wrapping Up Groundwater Awareness Week:
Updates From Our Private Well Class Program
Happy belated National Groundwater Awareness Week! Did you do anything to mark the occasion last week?
This annual observance was created in 1999 to promote the responsible development, management, and use of groundwater. Groundwater advocates use the week to highlight water issues in their communities, promote groundwater protection policies, and remind well owners to test, treat, and maintain their wells — something closely connected to many septic systems.
To celebrate GWAW, our sister program The Private Well Class is leading our tenth annual Pledge to Test Campaign. Tap Score is offering a free Essential Well Water Test to one well owner who pledges to test their well through our campaign and wins our virtual drawing. The deadline to pledge/enter the drawing is 11:59 pm CT on Wednesday, March 19, and the winner will chosen on Thursday, March 20.
Additionally, anyone who pledges to test will be able to receive $10 off any Tap Score water test kit with the code PLEDGE2025 through April 30.
To participate in the campaign, fill out our pledge form linked below and share your pledge with family, friends, and neighbors! |
| Pledge to Test » |
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In other news from The Private Well Class, registration for this spring's Private Well Conference in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, is officially open! If you are an environmental health professional or an academic studying issues related to both private wells and septic systems, we encourage you to consider attending our conference, scheduled for May 20-22 at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Registration is completely free!
Find the registration form, programming, and travel information below at PrivateWellClass.org!
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| Private Well Conference 2025 » |
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Recapping the WWETT Show 2025
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Were you at this year’s WWETT Show in Indianapolis? If not, check out our blog post recapping our team’s time at the show!
Our team had a wonderful time presenting about DecentralizedWastewater.org, attending educational sessions, and meeting new people in the industry.
Make sure you put next year’s event on your calendar: February 16-19, 2026, again at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis!
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| Read here » |
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The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association — better known as NOWRA — is decentralized wastewater's largest organization in the United States dedicated to the education and representation of all corners of the industry. NOWRA has already had a busy 2025 in terms of developing and growing the organization.
In late February, the NOWRA Board of Directors approved a new strategic plan covering the next three years, 2025-2027. The plan covers four areas of development:
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Engagement & Membership
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Education
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Advocacy & Lobbying
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Strategic Operations
Learn more from the plan's summary document here »
NOWRA has also been growing its network of state affiliate organizations. Since the start of the year, three new states have joined the NOWRA umbrella!
If you work in one of these three states, but are not a member of SCOWA, GSOWA, or OOWA-OK, there's never been a better time to consider joining, as affiliates have access to all the benefits of NOWRA membership.
See the full list of NOWRA state and regional affiliates » |
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Tap Talk Episode 55 – A Look at Progress and Needs in the Decentralized Wastewater Industry
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Last month, our team's Tap Talk podcast marked an exciting occasion: We had our first episode centered entirely around decentralized wastewater and septic tanks! Steve and Jennifer welcomed Sara Heger of the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center — who is a prolific researcher, expert, and trainer in the industry — to talk about recent progress and continued needs for the advancement of decentralized wastewater. Longtime septic professionals, homeowners operating septic systems, and even water professionals in other sectors have much to learn from this conversation!
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| 🎧 Listen Here » |
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Highlights from Pumper Magazine |
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Septic Scams:
Warning Signs That a Customer Has Been Ripped Off
How often have you encountered customers that have clearly been scammed or ripped off by a prior septic service job? As responsible service providers, there are things you can do to warn customers to watch out for to ensure they are not being taken advantage of when it comes to their septic systems. Check out Pumper Magazine's advice on how to do this!
Read here » |
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Flows and Loads
March 19 | 1:00 pm ET | Infiltrator Water Technologies
This presentation will review wastewater treatment considerations, accounting for varying hydraulic flows, organic loads, and other related considerations. The impact of these critical variables on wastewater treatment systems will be analyzed through design examples and case studies. Onsite wastewater treatment system component designs considered in this presentation include the septic tank, pump tank, treatment tank, and drainfield. Innovative and specific solutions to potentially challenging site conditions will be discussed.
Register here »
Rainwater Harvesting: Overview and Solutions for Capturing Rainwater
April 16 | 1:00 pm ET | Infiltrator Water Technologies
This presentation will review the process of collecting and storing rainwater for reuse in order to reduce reliance on conventional water sources. The session will provide an overview of the benefits of rainwater harvesting, system design, and necessary components. It is approved for one credit hour for various onsite licenses in Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire; the REHS license in Georgia; and engineering licenses in Florida and New York.
Register here »
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Septic System Basics for Homeowners
April 17 | 5:30 pm CT | Communities Unlimited
This training is for homeowners with a septic system who want to understand how to maintain it effectively and avoid costly repairs. It may also be beneficial for individuals considering purchasing a property with a septic systems.
Register here »
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Decentralized System Operation and Maintenance
April 23-24 | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm ET | Nashua, MA |
RCAP Solutions
The goal of this in-person training course is workforce development related to system management including the operation, maintenance, monitoring, and troubleshooting of decentralized systems. 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. Attendance at both days of the workshop is required.
Register here » |
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How to Manage Your Septic System
April 24 | 5:30 pm PT | Reno, NV | RCAC
Learn how to manage a septic system at this in-person training session in Reno. More info to come.
Register here » |
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Featured Podcast from Onsite Installer
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Installer Focus: From Oilfields to Drainfields
In the first installer-centered episode of the new podcast produced by Onsite Installer & Pumper Magazine, learn about Dawn Rohrs, a former oilfield engineer in Oklahoma who made the switch to septic installation and has never looked back.
Video Podcast »
Spotify Audio » |
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| Septic Tank Inspection Basics
Center for Technology & Training - Michigan LTAP
For an intro on the basics of inspecting septic tanks, watch this video to learn practical tips regarding the measurement of solids levels in order to evaluate pumping frequency. The video is presented by Greg Pearson, a water & wastewater systems trainer at the Great Lakes Environmental Infrastructure Center at Michigan Tech University.
Watch here »
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Wastewater in the News |
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How wastewater data has evolved since 5 years after the pandemic began | GBH
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Damaged wells, furnaces, private roads & bridges, and septic systems may be covered by FEMA | Federal Emergency Management Agency
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Man finds himself in a crappy situation after falling into septic tank | Kathimerini Cyprus
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Roanoke County offers free septic tank pump-outs for eligible residents | The Roanoke Star
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Nags Head, NC receives $500,000 grant for septic system repair, replacement |
The Coastland Times
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Council says ageing septic systems likely behind Tasmanian beach pollution | Pulse Tasmania
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As it seeks to drought-proof El Paso, city’s water utility breaks ground on first-of-its-kind water recycling plant | El Paso Matters
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Warren County, NY residents eligible for septic system repair, replacement funding | News 10
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Severe weather preparedness: Central Illinois septic company offering storm shelters | WCIA
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How septic systems are impacting Michigan’s water | WILX 10
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JEA, City of Jacksonville making progress on ‘Septic Tank Phaseout’ program, beginning to target new areas | News4Jax
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Advisory Board offers guide to septic systems: Provides advice to homeowner groups |
Shelter Island Reporter
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2023 Nevada law on septic systems turns plans for dream homes into nightmares |
Las Vegas Sun
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Man using septic tank at his home disputes sewer bill from City of Tuscaloosa | WBRC
- DEQ reports nitrates in Wyoming community linked to septic systems | Mountain Journal
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Save the Date: SepticSmart Week 2025
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This year's SepticSmart Week is officially six months out! It's never too early to start planning for this yearly opportunity to call attention to the necessity of properly caring for septic systems. Homeowner education events, training workshops, and social media campaigns are key components of the week's events.
Make sure to mark September 15-19 on your calendar! Keep an eye on the US EPA's Septic Systems homepage, as well as other sources like NOWRA and DecentralizedWastewater.org, for more information and ideas on how you can participate.
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| SepticSmart at the EPA » |
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Follow Us On Social Media! |
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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 ⬇️ |
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Visit our other websites: |
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