DecentralizedWastewater.org Newsletter for August 2025
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SepticSmart Week Is a Month Away
SepticSmart Week is exactly one month away! This year’s event marks the 13th annual SepticSmart Week, and will run from September 15-19, 2025. The week provides a prime opportunity for septic system stakeholders nationwide to educate others about the necessity of properly caring for and maintaining septic systems.
You’ll see homeowner education events, sponsored workshops, septic-focused social media, and hopefully plenty of proclamations from government entities recognizing the occasion throughout the week. Head on over to the SepticSmart Week hub at the US EPA website to learn more about participating, find educational materials, and start to make a plan for what you’ll be doing during SepticSmart Week. Happy planning!
You can also check out our blog post from last year on "Getting Ready for SepticSmart Week." And be sure to keep an eye out for new SepticSmart content on our blog in September too!
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| SepticSmart Week at the US EPA » |
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Register for the Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference! |
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Exciting news from the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA): Registration for this October’s Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference is now open — For both attendees and exhibitors! Early bird rates are available through September 22.
This year, NOWRA, the National Association of Wastewater Technicians, and the State Onsite Regulators Association are putting the annual event — the largest of its kind — on in Sandusky, Ohio, from October 19-22, with the help of the Ohio Onsite Wastewater Association. The conference is a great chance to get high quality education and training, network with peers across the country, and stay up-to-date on developments in the onsite/decentralized industry.
Head over to the NOWRA website to register ASAP!
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| Read More » |
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Decentralized Technology Highlighted in Wastewater Digest |
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The incorporation of decentralized treatment methods into municipal wastewater treatment is an increasingly common trend. Wastewater Digest, a primarily municipal treatment-focused publication, recently published an article covering some of the advances in decentralized treatment that have made this trend possible. The benefits of incorporating decentralized strategy into municipal treatment include alleviating environmental & economic pressures, and the ability to provide tailored, scalable, and cost-efficient solutions for a wide array of different communities. Make a free account with Wastewater Digest to read more about the evolution and enmeshing of decentralized & centralized treatment technology. |
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Private Well Conference 2025 Presentation Recordings
Are Now Available to Watch! |
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In May of this year, our sister program the Private Well Class hosted the first in-person Private Well Conference since 2019 in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. The conference served as a national workshop that united the private well community and emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnerships.
Now, all of the educational sessions were recorded and are now available to view for free on the Private Well Class YouTube channel!
These presentations were specifically geared for well practitioners. Speakers provided information and insights to be taken home and used locally with individual well owners. Most outreach and education work with well owners is done on a local scale, and this conference supported the thousands of professionals who work with well owners every day — from health department staff, environmental health professionals, drillers, and beyond.
Click below to view the presentations in YouTube playlist format, or click here to read more at PrivateWellClass.org! |
| Watch Here » |
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Featured Webinars & Training |
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Pressure Dosing Made Simple
August 20 | 1:00 pm ET | Infiltrator Water Technologies
Pressure dosing is also referred to as Low Pressure Pipe (LPP) or Low Pressure Dosing (LPD), among other names - offers numerous benefits for wastewater systems. This presentation will explore those advantages, along with the best practices for system design and operation & maintenance (O&M).
Register here »
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Basic Pump Systems
August 27 | 9:00 am PT | Orenco Systems
There’s a lot to consider when using a pump in a wastewater application. Even a “basic” pump system isn't necessarily quite so basic. In this webinar, Orenco will look at different pumping applications, various parts of a pumping system, and tips for a successful installation.
Register here »
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Septic System Operation & Maintenance
September 2 | 1:00 pm CT | Communities Unlimited
This training session for homeowners, septic installers, and decentralized wastewater operators will cover the different components of a septic system and their maintenance needs.
Register here » |
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Septic to Sewer in a Changing Climate
September 9 | 12:00 pm ET | Environmental Finance Center Network
Many rural communities and mobile home parks depend on septic systems, but climate change and aging infrastructure are putting these systems at risk. This webinar explores how septic systems work, the challenges they face in a changing climate, and options for transitioning to more resilient sewer solutions. Participants will gain practical insights from real-world examples.
Register here » |
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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 » |
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Highlights from Pumper Magazine
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Safety Hazards When Pumping Septic Systems
This article covers various safety hazards that are commonly faced by pumpers while on the job, as well as the safety best practices that should be followed to alleviate these dangers. Some of the top threats to pumpers include exposure to toxic gas, suffocation, explosion, infectious disease, and structural collapse.
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| Read Here » |
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Why Homeowner Education About Onsite Systems Still Falls Short
In this episode of the Onsite Installer podcast, experienced installer and columnist Todd Stair comes on as guest to discuss the widespread issue of homeowners not understanding how their septic systems work, as well as the proliferation of septic misinformation in the age of the Internet.
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| Listen Here » |
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Guidance for Septic Systems
Before, During, and After an Earthquake
National Environmental Health Association
This short handbook from NEHA goes over the safety preparation measures that should be taken by septic owners before an earthquake strikes, what can be done while an earthquake is happening, and the recommended actions to address damage and recovery when the quake is finished.
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| See the Guidance » |
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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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