DecentralizedWastewater.org Newsletter for May 2025
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EPA Announces $49 Million in Technical Assistance for Wastewater Challenges
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made a significant funding announcement, awarding $49 million to technical assistance providers to tackle wastewater infrastructure issues. This funding specifically aims to support rural, small, and tribal communities in addressing infrastructure challenges through the Rural, Small and Tribal Clean Water Technical Assistance Grant Program.
The $49 million in funding will be distributed to various technical assistance providers, including the National Rural Water Association and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership. This funding aims to help communities with planning, designing, and funding essential wastewater infrastructure upgrades, ensuring compliance with the Clean Water Act. Matt Holmes, CEO of the National Rural Water Association, highlighted the necessity of funding for hands-on assistance programs to address significant water and wastewater challenges and Olga Morales Pate, CEO of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, expressed excitement about working with the EPA to further capacity-building efforts for rural and tribal utilities across the nation.
Many rural, small, and tribal systems encounter distinct challenges, such as outdated infrastructure and a shortage of skilled workers. Technical assistance providers will deliver training on best practices for water infrastructure and management in order to aid communities in securing federal and state funding for dependable infrastructure solutions.
For more information on accessing support from TA providers, visit EPA's WaterTA page.
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See You at the Private Well Conference Next Week! |
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We hope to see some of you next week at our sister program's Private Well Conference! Our teams have been working hard all spring and are so excited to share our program with the private well, septic system, and environmental health community from across the country.
For any last minute planning you need to do, follow these links to:
Please contact us at info@privatewellclass.org or 1-866-945-0699 with any further questions. |
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Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference 2025:
Call for Posters |
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The organizers of this year's Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference (in Sandusky, Ohio, from October 19-22) are currently seeking proposals for poster presentations. Presenting a poster at the conference is a great way to share your research, knowledge, and expertise with hundreds of decentralized wastewater professionals from across the country.
Find more information about the conference and submission requirements at the conference website. The poster proposals are due on Monday, June 30.
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Register for Our Next Free Webinar
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Understanding Wastewater-Based Epidemiology: Highlighting the Top Free Resources
May 27, 2025 | 10:00 AM CT
In this webinar, participants will discover some of the most helpful resources for understanding wastewater-based epidemiology and learn how to use the search tools at WaterOperator.org to find additional resources and training events.
This continues the WaterOperator.org webinar series covering topics relevant to wastewater operators, including funding, asset management, compliance, and water quality.
Certificates of attendance will be provided upon request. Check with your certification body for acceptance criteria.
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Featured Webinars & Training |
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Commercial Conundrums
May 21 | 1:00 pm ET | Infiltrator Water Technologies
Onsite wastewater systems can face challenges when dealing with commercial facilities. Issues can include higher flow rates, highly variable flows, large peak flows, high strength waste, and difficult waste composition. This presentation will discuss unique, real projects that faced differing problems and what was done to resolve the issues to advance the project. This presentation will help designers, engineers, and contractors be able to recognize and respond properly for an improved system design, installation efficiency, and how best to cover their liabilities.
Register here »
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Conceptos Básicos de Sistemas de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales en Sitio + Recomendaciones en el Proceso de Adquisición
May 28 (28 de mayo) | 9 am ET (Nueve de la mañana) |
RCAP Solutions
This Spanish-language webinar will cover the basic concepts of onsite wastewater treatment systems for RCAP Solutions' service areas in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. From the event listing:
"Este adiestramiento ofrece un resumen de los conceptos básicos de sistemas de tratamiento de aguas residuales en sitio, incluyendo procesos anaeróbicos y aeróbicos. Se ofrecerá mayor atención a pozos sépticos y las unidades aeróbicas de tratamiento ('ATU') que son los más comunes en Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes. Para los participantes con experiencia provee un buen repaso, y para los que comienzan ahora les ofrecen una buena base y mejor entendimiento. En adición, el adiestramiento ofrecerá recomendaciones en el proceso de adquisición de sistemas nuevos, incluyendo el proceso, pasos más frecuentes, solicitudes de precio, contratación y selección. Este adiestramiento está diseñado para asistir sistemas comunitarios y/o individuos en dichos sistemas. No empece, la información puede ser de utilidad a profesionales, reguladores y estudiantes."
Register here » |
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Septic System Operations & Maintenance for Homeowners
May 29 | 6:00 pm PT | Rural Community Assistance Corporation
This online course will educate homeowners on proper operation and maintenance of their septic systems, common troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and solutions.
Register here » |
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Pumps 101
June 4 | 9 am PT | Orenco Systems
Wastewater pumps are an integral part of most onsite septic systems, and they come in all shapes and sizes. This webinar will cover the differences between various types of pumps and explain how to size and use pumps for onsite systems.
Register here »
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Operations & Maintenance for Decentralized Wastewater Systems
June 10-12 | 8:00 am ET | Ellicott City, MD | SERCAP
NOWRA, RCAP, SERCAP, and the University of Maryland Extension are hosting a free, in-person training workshop for service providers and operators to learn more about operating and maintaining decentralized wastewater systems. 14 credit hours will be available.
Register here » |
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Highlights from Onsite Installer Magazine
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The Towns That Run on 100% Onsite Wastewater Treatment
Many people who don't live in very rural areas think of septic systems mainly as a feature of residential properties. But in towns without centralized sewers and wastewater treatment plants, the entire town from homes to businesses to every other building must rely on onsite wastewater treatment. This article explains the benefits of such systems, which can be highly effective and sustainable.
Read here » |
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Featured Podcast from Environmental Finance Center Network |
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Community Science and Stewardship: Inspiring Wastewater Action in Las Curías / Ciencia y Gestión Comunitaria: Inspirando Acción sobre Aguas Residuales en Las Curías
In this Spanish-language episode, EFCN podcast hosts talk with limnologist Jorge Ortíz about the Community Science and Stewardship project at Las Curías lake in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The project allows participants to explore scientific concepts and communications strategies in the community, focusing on the impacts of decentralized wastewater systems on water quality to increase best management practices and environmental stewardship.
Listen here »
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| “More Than Just Dirty” Pathogen Exposures to Workers in the On-Site Industry
National Association of Wastewater Technicians & Washington On-Site Sewage Association
This 107-slide presentation explains research results on a study that examined pathogen exposures to workers in the septic industry, discusses various types of pathogen exposures and health impacts, and advises on PPE and best hygiene practices for septic workers to protect from the risks of handling human waste.
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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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