Onsite Onsite JournalJournal

Volume 12, No. 2 March-May 2003

National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association

Operations & ManagementMinnesota & Colorado Form AssociationsGetting Involved in NOWRAPreliminary Conference Announcement

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Your Full Color Ad CouldBe Here!

CALL NOWRA at 800-966-2942 TODAYfor information and rates!

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Onsite Onsite JournalJournal

National Onsite Wastewater Recycling AssociationDEPARTMENTS

Frankly Speaking… Tim Frank, NOWRA President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

NOWRA Headquarters UpdateLinda Hanifin Bonner, Ph.D., Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

State & Province Happenings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

FEATURES

Editorial CommentLinda Hanifin Bonner, Ph.D., Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Model Performance Code Committee UpdateMike Corry, Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

NOWRA Reseach Database Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

We Need to Hear from YOU!—Membership Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCEMaking the Case for Industry Education about Effective SepticSystem Maintenance PracticesMatt Byers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Cold Weather Insulation of Septic Tanks and Other InfrastructureScott D. Wallace, P.E. and Christopher D. English, P.E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Why isn't maintenance working?Jeff Snowden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Membership Growth—New Groups in Minnesota & Colorado . . . . . . . . . . 26

Getting Involved in NOWRA—You Make a Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Communications Committee Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

2003 CONFERENCEPreliminary Announcement & Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32Calling All Golfers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Conference Exhibitor Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Call for Papers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NAWT Inspector Training Course Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

NEHA Training Can Supplement Your Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Onsite Conference Sceduled in Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

American Decentralized Wastewater Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

2003 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

BOARD OF DIRECTORSPresidentTim A. Frank 440/636-5111Vice President/President-ElectRaymond Peat 800/753-3278Secretary/TreasurerA. Thomas Ferrero, Jr. 267/250-4068Past PresidentRobert B. Mayer, P.E. 800/345-3132

DirectorsMatt Byers, Ph.D. 800/928-7867Jean Caudill 614/644-7181James Converse, Ph.D. 608/262-1106David C. Flagg, Jr. 636/583-5564Tom J. Fritts 816/966-8885Brenda R. Guy 225/665-1666Roman Kaminski 715/345-5334Jack A. Myers 941/758-0674Jeff A. Snowden 512/338-1804Larry Stephens, P.E. 517/339-8692Jerry Stonebridge 360/331-6101Ronnie Thomas 703/594-3001E. Jerry Tyler, Ph.D. 608/835-9499

Executive DirectorLinda Hanifin Bonner, Ph.D. 800/966-2942

COMMITTEE CHAIRSBylawsTed L. Loudon 517/353-3741Communications/PromotionMichael Stephens 517/339-8692ConferenceLeeann Whitehead 931/380-8032Brenda R. Guy 225/665-1666FundraisingBrenda R. Guy 225/665-1666Education & TrainingJames Converse, Ph.D. 608/262-1106Peggy Minnis, Ph.D. 203/866-3006Government RelationsRobert Himschoot 941/332-1986License, Certification & EthicsDavid Linahan 610/644-4254MembershipRobert E. Lee, P.E. 703/737-8931Performance Requirements/Model Performance CodeMichael F. Corry 608/257-1787 Jean Caudill 614/644-7181State Association PresidentsTom Fritts 816/966-8885Technical PracticesRichard J. Otis, Ph.D., P.E. 608/249-0471Ralph Benson 513/732-7603

NOWRA HeadquartersP.O. Box 1270Edgewater, MD 21037-7270Phone: 800/966-2942 or 410/798-1697Fax: 410/798-5741e-mail: NOWRA@hanifin.comWebsite: www.nowra.org

Volume 12, No. 2 March-May, 2003

TThe U.S. EPA has said that indi-vidual household wastewatertreatment (onsite and decen-

tralized) systems are here to stay. This is good! With this statement, theU.S. EPA is also saying they are here to stay, but they cannot be allowed tobecome a source of pollution. So that theonsite systems do not become a perceivednuisance, the EPA also states that theymust be monitored and managed bysomeone who is qualified to do so.

We also know that some onsite systemsneed more management and attentionthan others. Addressing this issue iswhere the EPA 5- Part Management Plancomes into effect. The 5- Part Manage-ment Plan will force us to improve theimage of the onsite industry. But at thesame time, participating in the 5-PartManagement Plan opens up many newopportunities for increased business andrevenues for all of us.

Parts 1 through 3 of the ManagementPlan are a good clean fit for those of usin the service industry. Operating underparts 4 and 5, would take some creativethinking to be able to fit the roll of theResponsible Management Entity (RME).With the EPA and NOWRA workingtogether, there is surely a way for privateindustry to work at the RME level.

What does this all mean to you?It means that you will have to sell your-self. It means that you are selling a servicethat someone has a need for, and to makeothers desire your service, you have tomake yourself, your employees and yourservice, or services, more attractive to thecustomer than your competition.

What makes you better thanyour competition? Your knowledge, your confidence, yourpersonality, and your attitude is theanswer. Before you can sell a service,you must be able to answer any andall questions correctly in a confidentmanner In order to do that, you needadditional knowledge and skills to pro-vide the service you are offering to theoptimum. Your attitude should exudeoptimism and caring, as well as confi-dence. You want your customer to feelcomfortable around you and your employ-ees. You want your customer to feel thathe, or she, and whatever you are servicingare in good hands. Remember that firstimpressions can make or break a sale.

How do you acquire all of these traits? In the onsite wastewater industry, youJOIN NOWRA AND LET US HELPYOU GROW. NOWRA offers continu-ing education that keeps service providersup to date which gives you the confidenceand knowledge you need to service theever-changing wastewater treatmentsystems of today. What customer wantsa service provider who is lacking inknowledge? Yesterday’s technology willput the profitability out of your businessand you right out of the race.

As a service provider in the onsite industry,I know that continuing education is a mustfor all of us. Our counties and states believein continuing education, but in most casesdo nothing about it. When our ways becomeold, our way of thinking becomes stale.Competition and knowledge are the keywords of today’s society. If we cannotcompetently offer the services that areneeded, believe me, someone else will!Keeping up with the newest changes ismuch easier than waking up one day andrealizing that you have been left behind andyour knowledge and techniques belong inthe dark ages. Who will call on you then?

JOIN ME IN HELPING NOWRA GROWNOWRA gives you the opportunity tonetwork with those who not only work inyour industry, but those who play a veryimportant part in regulating it. NOWRAoffers you the opportunity to participateon committees of interest to you andallows you to have input and influenceregarding the direction your livelihood is taking. It is not necessary to be a boardmember to participate on committees.NOWRA needs and welcomes new ideasas well as help in forming the future ofthe wastewater industry.

As president of NOWRA, I am askingand challenging you to join us. We wantyou to become the one whose servicesare in demand. For the good of ourindustry, it is a must. You can have a partin making it happen in your market area.If for no other reason than the fact thatconsumers are becoming so much moreeducated, it won’t be long before thosewho do not work to keep up with changingtechnology find themselves out of busi-ness. Customers do not feel comfortablewith a service provider who knows lessabout their systems than they do. S

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FRANKLY SPEAKING…by Tim Frank,

NOWRA President

Tim is president of Tim Frank’s SepticTank Cleaning—a successful business ofinstalling, servicing and managing onsitesystems throughout Ohio.

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NNOWRA’s 2003 theme message,“Leaders for DecentralizedSystems—the Changing World

of Wastewater Treatment,” evolved frompreparations underway for the annualtechnical and education conference &exposition. It is now the driving forceand message for all our work in 2003.The goal is name recognition nationally,for this Association and its members.The activities over the past months arefocused to achieve this mission. Theend results are targeted at increased ben-efits for our members. However, asnoted in an article on page 28, we needsupporting efforts from you, our members,to truly become successful. Fulfillingthis mission also requires a dedication to education.

Work activities over the past monthsincluded the February 21, 2003, Board ofDirectors meeting in Nashville, TN, andthe Model Performance Code Committeemeeting in Austin, TX; working on theresearch task of the Model PerformanceCode and marketing the 2003 ConferenceExhibits and Onsite Journal advertising.April’s work focused on the 2nd phase ofthe outreach plan, with information packetssent to all states’ governors, senators, andlegislative leaders.

February Board Meeting HighlightsMajor areas of discussion focused onNOWRA’s end of year financial statusand strategies to increase resources tosupport member education and trainingprograms; plans underway for NOWRA’s2003 conference & exposition, approachesfor developing an aggressive educationprogram for both the conference andspecialty sessions; defining additionalopportunities for fundraising initiativesand building membership strength. Two important accomplishments from the Technical Practices and ModelPerformance Code Committee are theproducts being developed that will pro-vide policy direction for the Association.

The Technical Practices Committee isproducing a document review process tobe adopted for NOWRA products as wellas standards for drip technologies. TheModel Performance Code committee hascompleted preliminary draft documentsrelating to the numeric and soils matricesand is working on the guidance documents.The Board also discussed, and tabled untilits June meeting, a general position state-ment on management entities. Similarly, theJune meeting will include a major revenuestrategy planning session with the fundrais-ing committee meeting the day before todiscuss its presentation to the Board.

Association FinancesOver the past month, efforts to bring inadditional revenues and examine ways towork more efficiently and trim costs, e.g.mailings and telephones, have been suc-cessful. With help (greatly appreciated)from a unique volunteer, an active earlymarketing campaign of NOWRA’sconference to exhibitors has resulted inover 50% of the exhibit space sold todate. As a result of NOWRA’s newProducts and Services Directory, severalnew advertisers have shown an interest inNOWRA’s programs. Changes made inNOWRA’s telephone service programswill also reduce costs by 25%. We areaggressively pursuing a non-profit mail-ing rate status that can cut our bulk mail-ing costs 25%. In addition (reported in aseparate article) NOWRA has receivedadditional funding support for its ModelPerformance Code work from the Associ-ation of Decentralized Wastewater andthe Ohio Onsite Wastewater Association.

NOWRA’s Outreach & EducationCampaignName recognition and credibility of ourservices is a priority. Over the past months,this activity has focused on the widespreaddistribution of NOWRA’s new productsand services directory to regulators andhigh level political officials. We are main-taining our commitment to our advertisers!All of the governors within the U.S. havebeen sent an information package from

NOWRA that includes an ExecutiveCommittee cover letter, new folders, acopy of the Onsite Journal and Directory.The letter emphasizes the work of theAssociation’s members to protect waterquality through their products and services,the need for future legislation requiringcontinuing education of service providers,and the work of the Model PerformanceCode committee. Board members willfollow up this effort with telephonecalls and personal visits in the comingmonths. In addition, mailings have beensent to the executive directors and presi-dents of the building, realty and bankingindustry associations. We are marketing a special education program to thesegroups in personal visits.

Capital Hill Legislative BriefingSpending one day meeting the key staffmembers of legislators involved infinancing the nation’s infrastructure was a valuable opportunity to presentNOWRA information folders and discussNOWRA’s work. We were also able topersonally thank the U.S. EPA adminis-trators for the support provided to NOWRAin our work. Next step! Follow-up, personal meetings are scheduled withFundraising Chairperson, Brenda Guy.

NOWRA’s Web Site ImprovementsNOWRA received the official notice offunding approval from the NationalDecentralized Water Resources CapacityDevelopment Project to improve its website to educate policy officials andregulators about the work of the ModelPerformance Code. With this approval,the contractor selected by the Board ofDirectors is now proceeding with thiswork. Watch in June for the “new look”and sections. It will occur overnight!

Model Code ResearchAn important task within the NDWRCDPfunding is a special research component. This effort is targeted at public officialswith the objective of identifying theissues confronting those who have beeninvolved with this type of work. In other

H E A D Q U A RH E A D Q U A R T E R S U P D AT E R S U P D A T ET ELinda Hanifin Bonner, Ph.D.,

Executive Director

continued on page 4

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Headquarters Update, continuedwords, what are the lessons learned, that can be applied to facilitating these pro-grams to a successful conclusion andacceptance. The survey form is providedon page 14 for other interested parties’response, and will be on NOWRA’swebsite as well.

Membership DevelopmentThere are several very important mile-stones accomplished for this activity overthe past few months.

First, NOWRA is pleased to welcome theMinnesota Professional Onsite WaterResources Association—who on March 7,2003, conducted their first official meeting.Efforts to bring the states of Kentuckyand Iowa into the membership group arenearing a successful conclusion. Associ-ation Officers have been present at nearlyevery state meeting during the past fourmonths, to personally work with the leaders and members. All NOWRA officersand board members travel at their ownexpense. Activities are now underway toform groups in Colorado, the coastal areaof Massachusetts, and to complete theorganization details in Maryland.

Hanifin Associates Office Staff ChangesOver the past months, new voices havebeen heard answering the telephone andmaking calls on behalf of NOWRA. And beginning the fifth of May, HanifinAssociates welcomed Helen Curry, who assumes the full-time position asAdministrative Manager. Helen, whoprefers to be called “Sparkle,” left herposition at Professional AccountantManagement Services the end of April.Her responsibilities include managementand financial support to NOWRA as wellas Hanifin Associates.

Carolyn Quinlan, who has been withHanifin Associates for nearly ten years,will be working part-time when needed.Carolyn and her husband Mike areembarking on several trips over the nextseveral months, in addition to preparingfor their only daughter’s wedding andseeing more of the grandchildren inKentucky. We have all been much moresensitive to the welfare of our servicemen and women in the Iraq situation as Carolyn’s son Neil has been veryinvolved in the war, and are extremelypleased to report that Neil has returnedsafely to Ft. Bragg. We are continually

grateful for their presence on our behalfand are keeping them in our prayers.

The other two persons who are workingpart-time at Hanifin Associates includeJudy Staudinger. Judy recently retiredfrom SAIC where she worked for 22years as an administrative manager. Sherecently moved to the area and enjoysthe opportunities to support our activitiesby answering telephones, schedulingmeetings and events, and providingmembership services.

Francis “Butch” Hammersmith has beenliterally “manning” the telephones as our“marketing manager” and making thehighly important follow-up calls for theconference exhibits and advertising. Heis also organizing the conference golftournament and brings a high level ofenergy to his tasks. Francis is retiredfrom the Prince George’s County Schoolsystem (28 years) and is currently a per-sonal trainer at the South River FitnessCenter in Edgewater specializing in “golffitness.” In his spare time, weather per-mitting (or sometimes even not), he andhis clubs can be found together out onthe course, looking for onsite systems. S

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California Onsite Wastewater Association

New Year, New BoardThe new year is moving past under the direction of the newBoard of Directors. The following slate was installed at theMarch meeting.

PresidentPete Lescure . . . . . . . . . . . . Lescure Engineers

V. P. SouthSteven Braband. . . . . . . . . . Biosolutions, Inc.

V. P. NorthNorman Hantzsche . . . . . . . Questa Engineering Corp.

Past PresidentDavid Dauwalder . . . . . . . . Dauwalder Engineering

DirectorsMark Adams . . . . . . . . . . . . Northstar EngineeringBlair Allen . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calif. RWQCB, San FranciscoBarbara Bradley . . . . . . . . . Nolte Associates, IncDon Cook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MicroSepTec Inc.Frank Gabrian . . . . . . . . . . . San Diego Co. DEHJan Krancher . . . . . . . . . . . . Cultec, IncMark Richardson . . . . . . . . . . Rural Community Assistance CorpsRodney Ruskin . . . . . . . . . . GeoflowMike Treinen . . . . . . . . . . . ConsultantLarry Young . . . . . . . . . . . . City of Malibu

The success of the association is based on the work and dedica-tion of the Board and its members. The departing members ofthe Board deserve special mention for the untold hours theyhave devoted to COWA in the past. They are: AndreaArenovski – National Decentralized Water Resources CapacityDevelopment Project, Richard Holmer – Sonoma CountyPRMD, and Howard Kolb – California RWQCB, Central Coast.

California Onsite WastewaterTreatment System Regulations— UpdateAs reported in the January-February issue, California OnsiteWastewater Treatment System Regulations will be the end productof the process started by Assembly Bill 885 (AB885).

The process of developing these regulations began over a yearago. After the draft regulations first passed through three com-mittees representing regulators and the different stakeholdergroups in the state the stakeholders found the draft to be lack-ing. The stakeholders have since, through a smaller stakehold-ers committee, produced an independent rewrite. This effortand the state’s draft development have run parallel for a coupleof months and now appear to be coming together for what allhope is an acceptable regulation. The combined draft was avail-able for review and discussion at the Western Onsite WastewaterExhibition and Technical Conference on May 1 – 2, 2003 inSacramento, California.

Training and EducationOne of the outcomes of the current development of the CaliforniaOnsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Regulations is the needfor various training and education programs. The new regulationswill include requirements for maintenance, monitoring andinspection of these systems. This in turn will increase thenumber of jurisdictions that will require that those involved inthese activities to be educated, trained and, already in someinstances, have some form of qualification or certification.

California does have a training center that offers many coursesthat can apply to the upcoming requirements. COWA is in theprocess of setting up a statewide delivery system for the currentrequirements and those that are anticipated. COWA is havingongoing discussions with national qualifying and certificationorganizations to cover the needs of COWA members.

We expect that in the near future COWA will have a team ofteachers and trainers who will enable the association to deliverthe courses needed for qualifications and certifications in allareas of the state.

Western Onsite Wastewater Exhibition and TechnicalConference—May 1 – 2, 2003COWA had its first "Western Onsite Wastewater Exhibition andTechnical Conference" on May 1 and 2 in Sacramento, California.The exhibition booths and the technical conference received agood reception. The conference offered two sessions each day: Thursday, May 1

Technology—Tomorrow’s Technologies Under Today’s Rulesand Monitoring—Verifying Technology Performance

Friday, May 2Quality Assurance— Getting it Right: Roles, Responsibilities

and Relianceand Management— Putting it All Together – Qualified Local

Authorities

ColoradoOrganizers’ Meeting for National Onsite WastewaterRecycling Association (NOWRA) Constituent Group

An organizational meeting for NOWRA was held April 4, 2003,at the Jefferson County Department of Health, Golden, Colorado.This meeting was for those persons—including pumpers,installers, engineers, regulators, academics, manufacturers andother interested parties associated with the onsite wastewaterindustry—who would be the core organizing group for theColorado Constituent Group of NOWRA. One to three peoplefrom each of the above groups were identified to help in organiz-ing our industry organization and determining how to proceed. A time line was established, with the hope that the group can beorganized by the NOWRA meeting in Nashville, November 5-11,2003. It is anticipated another core group will be required in June, and it is our desire to meet in conjunction with the Colorado

State Group Happenings

continued on page 6

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Environmental Health Association conference in September,2003 and be a true constituent group by the NOWRA meetingin Nashville.

Some of the potential benefits of NOWRA include:• Higher level of professionalism• Education and staying up-to-date• National and local conferences• Training programs • Industry voice in regulations• Development of Performance Based Regulations

Additional Information: Normal NOWRA membership cost— $140.00Through Constituent Group—$60.00 – $75.00 of which $20.00

is forwarded to NOWRA.

Several companies have volunteered to donate to the forming ofthe constituent group. So far, approximately $3000.00 has beendonated and others will be approached.

If there is interest in New Mexico or Wyoming for joining thosein Colorado, we are considering and would welcome a RockyMountain organization.

Colorado is lucky to have Barbara Dallemand, who wasinvolved in the organization of the Kansas Constituent Group.For additional information, call Ed Church or BarbaraDallemand at 303-463-9317 or 1-877-248-3123 from outside ofthe Denver area. Better yet, email to echurch@geo-church.comor bdallemand@geo-church.com.

Ohio Onsite Wastewater AssociationAt their March 21, 2003 meeting, the Ohio Onsite WastewaterAssociation (OOWA) Board of Directors voted to support theNOWRA Model Onsite Performance Code effort with a finan-cial contribution of $2500. OOWA is working with other part-ners in Ohio to promote legislation and eventual rule revisionsrelated to the state’s household sewage program. OOWA plansto call on NOWRA for support in these regulatory efforts, andfelt that in turn, OOWA should support the developing NOWRAModel Onsite Performance Code. It is anticipated that House-hold Sewage Treatment System (HSTS) legislation will beintroduced in the Ohio General Assembly before the summerbreak for the legislature.

OOWA continues to make steady progress on the developmentof an OOWA Qualified Installers Program. Residents in 41ofthe 88 counties in Ohio now have access to at least one (and insome cases many more) Charter OOWA Qualified Installer reg-istered at their local health department (LHD). OOWA has beenactively promoting the recognition of these Charter OOWAQualified Installers on LHD lists of their 2003 RegisteredInstallers in each county or jurisdiction. OOWA conducted apresentation and set up an exhibit focused on the OOWAQualified Installer Program at the Ohio Environmental Health

Association’s Annual Educational Conference in April. In addi-tion, the new NOWRA promotional publications were availableat the display table along with the NOWRA 2002/2003Membership Directory.

For more information on OOWA, please contactCommunications Chair, Jean Caudill at 614-644-7181 orjcaudill@gw.odh.state.oh.us

Texas OnSite Wastewater AssociationTOWA On Cutting Edge

TOWA participated in the Texas Commission of EnvironmentalQuality Annual On-Site Research Council Conference in Waco,Texas, February 24-26. TOWA hosted their annual recruitmentluncheon during the conference and had a successful turn out ofalmost 300 people. Dixon Dryden, Installer from Houston,Texas, passed the gavel over to new President Montel Rutledge,Installer from Bryan-College Station.

Due to an ice storm, TOWA's legal counsel, Mark Hanna, JD, ofAustin, could not make it in to give his presentation. DonCanada, Executive Director of TOWA, filled in with details ofthe current Texas legislative session, currently meeting throughMay. TOWA is supporting a bill requiring an oversight andinterim study committee to be mandated by the legislature forthe TCEQ , the current agency with licensing and enforcementresponsibilities in Texas for onsite systems. TCEQ has effectivepolicies in place, but faces continuous challenges to providingstandardized enforcement throughout the state. This interim committee would allow involvement from all industry sectors toaddress enforcement, maintenance and other problem areas.

Don Canada also reviewed the new Certified MaintenanceProvider Course, that is scheduled to occur at the TOWA June26-28 conference at the new Radisson Hill Country Resort inSan Antonio. A committee of installers, maintenance providersand manufacturers have been actively coordinating an effort tooffer a quality, hand-on course for maintenance providers. InTexas, maintenance has just been mandated for homeowners,and now there is an influx of people wanting to open mainte-nance companies. Unfortunately, they are only required by thestate to hold a Class D license—which requires minimal qualifi-cations, as well as be certified by the individual manufacturersto treat products. At the current time TCEQ, the licensingagency, does not provide a Maintenance specific course.TOWA, with great volunteer efforts, has gone above and beyondto fill this gap. THE CMP course will be a two-part courseequaling 32 hours. The goal is to have individuals who trulywant to provide quality servicing take and pass this course, andthen be top consideration for the individual manufacturers tothen train on product specifics. TOWA supports maintenancefor all onsite systems, but does focus on the aerobic systemplants. The courses will be held 2-3 times a year and will be ledby experienced, trained individuals from the industry. We thankall the companies who have donated equipment for this training.

State Group Happenings

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State Group HappeningsIf you have interest in donating equipment as samples for thistraining, please contact Krista Richter at TOWA state office at512-494-1125 or Dixon Dryden at 713-863-3350.

Look for TOWA conference information at www.txowa.org.Their conferences will be June 26-28 in San Antonio and September 25-27 in West Houston (near the Bass Pro Shop).TOWA, with the sponsorship of Delta, will hold its 2nd Annual chilicook-off on June 26 in San Antonio. All chili cookers welcome! S

TThe feature theme in this issuefocuses on the importance ofmaintenance of onsite systems

and NOWRA’s education program. Thearticles provide readers with differentperspectives of the writers, ranging fromthe education of business owners, systemowners and even state regulators. Theyalso convey the underlying message ofbeing prepared for the changes within theonsite industry.

CHANGE means movement from onepoint to another. Some changes are posi-tive and some changes are not so positive.But if one looks at the opportunityembodied within the change process andwhat offers to the future, it often changesthe peceived outcome from that of frus-tration to one of benefits. Each of ourwriters, and the message of NOWRA’spresident, Tim Frank, all arrive at thesame conclusion—using the changes thatare now occurring within the onsiteindustry as opportunities for benefits; andeducating yourself to be prepared to takeadvantage of the results of change.

CHANGE + OPPORTUNITY + EDUCATION

= FINANCIAL BENEFITS!

CHANGE often involves “education” inorder to make the opportunity become areality! EDUCATION is NOWRA’s mission. EDUCATION is the core service NOWRAprovides to its members. It is also themessage given in response to the frequent

question, “What are the benefits I receive in being a NOWRA member?”

NOWRA provides numerous educationprograms with credentialed academics andprofessionals, who are the experts in thisindustry. NOWRA’s experts are dedicatedto supporting the professional growth oftheir colleagues and advancing the growthof the onsite industry to fulfilling andachieving the nations water quality goals.Just read the profile of a few of the dedi-cated individuals and organizations sup-porting the work of the model perfor-mance code and that of developing thenew education and training programs.There are even more dedicated profession-als that we’ve not highlighted at this time,but hope to in the future.

NOWRA’s shortcoming is an aggressiveoutreach and education program for publicofficials—informing state, federal policymakers, and even regulators, howNOWRA’s programs and the technicalexpertise of their members support them intheir work to accomplish stated goals ofeliminating non-point source pollution andfulfilling sustainable development. However,we are now taking steps to address that lim-itation. We have begun sending informationpackets from NOWRA to state and federalpolicy officials from governors to congres-sional representatives, senators, public health specialists and legislative staff. Itis planned that over the next severalmonths, they will receive visits from

Board members and Executive staff, aswell as personal calls from NOWRAmembers about supporting our programsand the work of the decentralized industry.

We are also expanding the circle of influ-ence to the nations building, realty andbanking industry, with similar informa-tion and contacts. All of these groupsneed NOWRA’s technical expertise toaddress the issues they are facing in mak-ing decisions about wastewater treatmentand its infrastructure.

While NOWRA’s officers, board andcommittee members collectively heightentheir pro-activity and give voice to theneed for the financial resources to supportthe decentralized and onsite industry, afew individuals cannot accomplish thetask alone. But the power of many can!The Board and its Committees need yoursupport and activism. Remember thelessons taught us in the 1960s with theefforts of Rachael Carson and the begin-ning of the environmental movement ofchange. It was also the emergence of theclean water era in the ’70s. Now, in the21st century, we are again on a precipiceof change—one that has vast opportunitiesfor the decentralized industry. Let uswork together to make the opportunitiesbecome reality. Contact one of the offi-cers or board members and let themknow of your desire to support ourefforts, on your behalf. S

Editorial Comment—Linda Hanifiin Bonner, Ph.D., NOWRA Executive Director

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DDuring the first 6 months of 2003,NOWRA’s Model PerformanceCode Committee will attain

several milestones in the progresstowards producing the series of productsthat are part of the effort. The status ofthe various elements is described below.

The classification matrix is largelycomplete, subject to some minor tweaking.The evaluation committee is in the processof determining how the various componenttest data will be classified. The decisionhas been made to accept all historical datafrom lab tests, controlled field tests andgeneral field monitoring sources, but toqualify it by the characteristics of the datageneration process. The committee iscoordinating its work with existingevaluation agencies.

The Soils Committee has completedmajor conceptual work in developing soiltreatment credit tables that are coordinatedwith the classification matrix. Jerry Tylermade a major presentation to the SmallFlows Regulators and Captains ofIndustry Conference in March. A meet-ing of the larger soil peer review commit-tee met in Atlanta on May 13 to furtherdevelop the process. A major paradigmshift in thinking is occurring because theprocess is focusing on “time in the treat-ment zone” and “access to oxygen” as the primary treatment variables, insteadof the more common prescriptive distancestandards. The soils committee work issupported by a grant from the NationalConsortium of Decentralized WastewaterProject.

The Primary Code Committee has beenworking on the development of the codeitself. A subcommittee is working on anexpanded code outline with six majorsections.

■ General Provisions, Purpose, Scope Authority

■ Definitions■ Requirements, Prohibitions and

Enforcement■ Standards and Protocols Adopted

(NOWRA’s and others)■ Local Adoption of output

performance standards (Matrix – categories to match local human and environmental riskconditions)

■ Quality Assurance systems and Mechanisms Adopted

(The major emphasis is on QA systems\to ensure that the OWTS is appropriateto the site, is installed properly and isoperated and maintained. Elements of theEPA Management Guidelines areaddressed here.)

The Guidance Committee is focusing ondeveloping a document targeted at policymakers to provide background materialneeded to make local/state regulatorydecisions. The primary focus is to helpadopting governments decide how tomatch local risks to the local human andnatural environments, to the appropriateperformance standards in the performanceclassification matrix. The committee hasdeveloped a document outline and isbeginning to write the sections.

The next Code Committee meeting follows the NEHA meeting in Reno, NV, on June 12 and 13.

Major progress reports from all theseefforts will be presented to NOWRAmembership at the 2003 AnnualConference. This event occurs as a fullday “Pre-conference” workshop wherecommittees will present reports and

engage in an active discussion with participants for input into their work.

WHO’S WHO…ON NOWRA’S MODELPERFORMANCE CODE COMMITTEE

The following profiles represent many ofthe volunteers working on this importantendeavor. While providing a profile aboutthose committee members, we also tookthe opportunity to ask those who responded,to identify why they believe this work isimportant, and why they are volunteeringtheir time for this work.

Michael (Mike) Corry, Chairman, isnow a special consultant to NOWRA onthis project, following his retirement fromthe Wisconsin Safety and Building Division.He brings strong credentials to lead thiswork. He became involved in onsiteregulation as part of his responsibilities as Division Administrator for the Safetyand Building Division for the State ofWisconsin. The updating process ofComm 83, the State’s onsite code, wassignificantly more difficult than updatingthe other 28 building related codes,primarily because a science-based nationalmodel code did not exist. The process ofproduct and design approvals was alsomore difficult. The then existing prescrip-tive code created needless hardship andexpense on citizens and businesses

“My interest in the NOWRA modelcode was motivated by the need toreduce the friction in updating theWisconsin code in the future. When I suggested that NOWRA adopt amodel code, I found than many stateregulators, manufacturers and indus-try vendors shared the same concernsand frustrations over current codes.”

NOWRA Model Performance Code Updateby Michael Corry, Committee Chair

Committee Work Enters Period of Accelerated Activity

continued on page 10

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Model Performance CodeJean Caudill, R.S., Committee vicechairperson, is also leading the efforts forthe Guidance Document subcommittee.Jean is a NOWRA Board member andrepresents NOWRA on the NationalDecentralized Water Resources CapacityDevelopment Project (NDWRCDP)Project Steering Committee. She hasworked at the Ohio Department of Healthin the Residential Water and SewageProgram since 1998, as a ProgramSpecialist, and is responsible for thehousehold sewage system rule revisionefforts, review of experimental systemrequests from local health departments,product reviews, and technical assistanceto local health departments and others.

The Importance of the NOWRA ModelPerformance Code Project—

“I believe that as a result of its broadand diverse membership base,NOWRA is an ideal vehicle for thedevelopment of a Model OnsitePerformance Code. The open forumused in our committee meetings andin this overall process, really invitesany and all interested parties to cometo the table and engage in this effortto gain consensus on a range ofperformance standards that willmove the onsite industry forward asa legitimate, flexible, and responsivewastewater infrastructure that is fullyable to protect public health and theenvironment. No where else but inNOWRA do we have such a largepool of industry professionals havingthe knowledge and practical experi-ence necessary for this task.”

Jean is also a member of the NationalEnvironmental Health Association(NEHA) Onsite Advisory Committee,and currently chairs the Ohio OnsiteWastewater Association’s Commu-nication Committee.

Dr. Del Mokma is a Professor at theDepartment of Crop and Soil Sciences,at Michigan State University in EastLansing, MI. He co-chairs the SoilsSubcommittee together with Jerry Tyler.His dedication to this industry is demon-strated in his long history of work, Delbelieves that,

“Central sewers are required to provideprimary, secondary and tertiary treatment

of domestic wastewaters before theymay be returned to the environment.Onsite wastewater treatment systemsmust also provide that treatment if they are to be acceptable alternatives to central sewers. Septic tanks providethe primary treatment but soils areexpected to provide secondary and tertiary treatment. In prescriptivecodes for onsite wastewater systemsonly the hydraulic properties, frequentlysome are omitted, of soils are usuallyconsidered. The focus is on disposalnot on treatment. As a result systemshave been installed in soils that willreadily disperse wastewater but nottreat it, thereby polluting the environ-ment. The protection of human andenvironmental health requires that thecapacity of soils to treat wastewatermust be determined. Soils with differ-ing hydraulic properties may havediffering capacities to treat wastewater.In a performance code the soils‚ capac-ities to treat wastewater must be coupledwith the hydraulic properties.”

Dr. E. Jerry Tyler is Director of theSmall Scale Waste Management Projectand Professor of Soil Science at theUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison. Hereceived his B.S. in Agronomy from theNew York College of Agriculture andLife Sciences at Cornell University and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Soil Science fromNorth Carolina State University at Raleigh.Since joining the faculty at the Universityof Wisconsin in 1975 Jerry has doneresearch about mine land reclamation andonsite wastewater treatment systemsusing soil.

Besides teaching Introduction to SoilScience and Soil Science for Land UsePlanners he has provided training con-cerning site evaluation to professionals inWisconsin. Jerry is the recipient of theWisconsin Idea Award given to thosewho take research to the people. He hasserved on numerous committees offeringadvice concerning regulations and is amember of many professional organiza-tions. As President of Tyler & Associates,Inc. Jerry offers education concerningsoil for onsite wastewater treatmentthroughout the country.

Matthew Byers, Ph.D., serves on theNOWRA Model Performance Code

Committee as well as on the Guidanceand Evaluation subcommittees, andis a NOWRA Board member. He is amember, education chair, publicationschair and past-president of the KentuckyOnsite Wastewater Association. Matt hasassisted several state associations inaccomplishing various goals. Since1998, he has been the Onsite Researchand Development Manager for theZoeller Pump Company.

“The importance of the NOWRAModel Performance Code Project isthat it has the potential to de-frag-ment this industry, and to enlightenits readers as to technologies thatcould be used to solve their prob-lems. The performance aspect of thecode will allow regulators, designers,and end users the freedom to selecttechnologies that meet a level of per-formance needed for any given site.The model code will promote neededmanagement and maintenance andthe professional development neededto carry out this most necessary work.If adopted, it will promote a higherlevel of environmental stewardshipand public health protection.”

Anthony Smithson, M.S., R.S., is currently the onsite wastewater programmanager for the Lake County HealthDepartment in north-suburban Chicago.Smithson has served as the OnsiteWastewater Management Section Chairfor the National Environmental HealthAssociation since 1998. He is a formerNOWRA Board member and has beenappointed to the Illinois Private SewageAdvisory Commission. Tony currently is a member of the EnvironmentalTechnology Verification DecentralizedWastewater Pilot stakeholder advisorygroup, and participates in U.S. EPA'sSteering Committee for DecentralizedManagement Guidance Products.Smithson is a graduate fellow of theMidwest Public Health LeadershipInstitute.

“The importance of this effort is that it will establish a framework tocompare and contrast onsite systems,technologies and, importantly, man-agement and regulatory practices.Decision-making in onsite waste-water issues may finally be based, in NOWRA's model, upon accepted

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public heath principles; assessment of risk, setting policy (performancestandards) to accommodate the risk,and providing assurance (QA/QC)that the policies have addressed theassessed risk.”

Anish R. Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., is a member of the Model PerformanceCode Committee and a member of theEvaluation subommittee. He served onthe NOWRA Board of Directors from1999 to 2001 and has been active inNOWRA since its formation in 1991. He has worked at the Virginia Depart-ment of Health since 1996 as a TechnicalServices Engineer and he provides engi-neering expertise and manages the State’sonsite sewage system research program.His responsibilities at the State HealthDepartment also include reviewing andevaluating innovative wastewater sys-tems as well as plans and specificationsfor large onsite systems.

“NOWRA’s Model PerformanceCode project is one of the mostimportant activities to occur to elevate the onsite wastewater industryto a higher standard. It will makethe use of onsite systems an integralcomponent of the national waste-water infrastructure. The ModelPerformance Code that clearlydefines the output expectations fromthe onsite systems’ components andspecifies the input limitations willallow the engineering community to integrate the use of these compo-nents whenever possible in theirdesign.”

He believes that the Model PerformanceCode, when accepted by the regulatoryagencies nationwide, will allow engineersand other practitioners to develop cost-effective solutions for the current waste-water problems and will enhance the useof onsite systems in the planning forfuture wastewater infrastructure.

One of the most exciting parts of theModel Performance Code according toAnish is the matrices that will list perfor-mance of various treatment technologiesalong with the performance of soil basedeffluent dispersal systems. He thinks thatthis tool will offer a valuable and mostneeded service to all the designers who

are eager to use onsite systems to addressthe current and future wastewater needsall over the country and the world. Hehopes that the NOWRA’s model perfor-mance code will assist the regulatoryagencies from the federal to states to local levels in developing meaningful standardsfor use of onsite systems, thus eliminatethe regulatory barrier as identified in the EPA’s Report to Congress for the effec-tive use of onsite systems.

Steve Branz, P.E., participant on theModel Performance Committee, has alsoserved as the Technical Director for Bordna Mona since 2000.

“The importance of the NOWRAPerformance Code project is to stan-dardize all aspects of the industry.Such a code is critical for thenational development of onsitewastewater industry to develop, aswas the development of UL stan-dards for the electrical industry.”

Rodney Ruskin, C.E.O. of Geoflow,Inc., is a Director of the CaliforniaOnsite Wastewater Association (COWA)and a member of NOWRA, CWEA,ASAE, SPE and I.A. Rodney holds fivepatents relevant to subsurface drip efflu-ent dispersal and irrigation.

“The NOWRA Model Code isimportant to me as a manufacturerbecause we need high scientific standards in order to:• Ensure that our industry grows

and growth is not damaged by failures,

• Ensure that quality and perfor-mance is recognized as having economic value, and

• Increase the degree of uniformity of regulations so that manufacture,design, installation, and mainte-nance standards can be more easilymanaged.”

Fred H. Bowers, Ph.D., is a ResearchScientist with the New Jersey Depart-ment of Environmental Protection, in theDivision of Water Quality. He also is the Chief of the Program DevelopmentSection of the Ground Water ProtectionUnit. He supervises the New JerseyOnsite Wastewater Disposal Program, theUnderground Injection Control Program,the Municipal Sanitary Landfills moni-toring program, and the Municipal

Stormwater Permitting Program. Heholds a Ph.D. in Soil Science (Penology)from the University of Washington, andhas been with the NJDEP since 1988.

“Working on the Model code is pro-fessionally rewarding. The workproducts promise to dramaticallyadvance technology and decision-making process within the nation’sonsite industry. Typically today, theStates develop their code by borrow-ing fragments from past code and/orother state code. Rarely is a reallycomprehensive design consideredfrom top to bottom. In addition, thisprocess is tackling the problem ofincorporating innovative technologyinto the fabric of the model code.This approach represents a majoradvance over the conventional septicsystem codes most states use. Finally,it is a pleasure working as a memberof the committee, since the member-ship includes extremely intelligentand motivated people who all seemto share the feeling that they areworking on a ‘Renaissance’ cause.”

Allison Blodig, a member of the ModelCode Evaluation subcommittee, has beenRegulatory Affairs Coordinator for Bio-Microbics, Inc. since May of 2001. Bio-Microbics, Inc. is located in Shawnee,Kansas, and they are the manufacturers ofthe FAST® wastewater treatment systemswith denitrification. Along with a degreein biology, Ms. Blodig is a RegisteredEnvironmental Health Specialist and hasover seven years of experience in regula-tory compliance, four of which were inthe water and wastewater treatmentindustry.

“I think the importance of the ModelCode project is that it provides ageneric matrix to help give guidancefor choosing the level of treatmentdesired. It also provides educationto the entire onsite community and aformat for adoption of regulationsbased on science.”

Allison is also an active member of theNational Environmental HealthAssociation, Kansas Association ofSanitarians, and serves on the KansasSmall Flows board.

continued on page 12

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Model Performance Code, continuedRoman Kaminski, staff member of theModel Performance Code Committee andof the Definitions subgroup, is a NOWRAboard member representing the regulatorsegment. He has worked for the State ofWisconsin since 1978 as a wastewaterspecialist, plan review unit supervisor andcurrently as a Program Manager responsiblefor the onsite sewage program, WI Fund(a repair and rehabilitation grant programfor failing onsite sewage systems) and soilerosion regulations. As a Program Man-ager he is responsible for developingpolicy and administrative rules, andserves as a liaison between the Stateagency responsible for onsite sewage regulations and the counties that administerthe regulations as agents of the State. Inaddition, Roman is a member of theWisconsin Onsite Wastewater RecyclingAssociation (WOWRA), the NationalEnvironmental Health Association(NEHA) and was recently appointed tothe State Division of Health SanitarianRegistration Committee.

“The Importance of the NOWRAModel Performance Code Project isthe ability to transfer the expertiseI’ve acquired by working in a statewhere a uniform onsite code has beenin effect for over thirty years. In addi-tion we have statewide licensing, reg -istration and certification provisionsincluding continuing educationrequirements for onsite practitioners.This has made administering andworking with onsite regulations rela-tively easy compared to what otherstates are faced with where in manycases each governmental entity with-in the state may have its own set ofregulations, licensing and productapproval requirements. However,historically our onsite code has beenrather prescriptive. Our departmentalso administers other codes associatedwith the ‘built environment.’ Severalof these codes, such as the buildingcode and electrical code, are adoptednational model codes that are moreperformance oriented. The advan-tages of these types of codes aremany. They contain the collectivewisdom and guidance of nationalexperts in their respective fields.They are written in a way to allowchoices within the standards contained

in the code depending on the needs ordesires of the community where themodel code is adopted. Most impor-tantly, the same standards are in placearound the country allowing practi-tioners to feel confident that they willhave the same standards to meetregardless of where they choose toconduct business.

A national model onsite code is avery important step towards movingthe onsite industry forward at a criti-cal time when onsite systems arebeing selected as a method of waste-water treatment for a growing num-ber of individual homes, businessesand clusters of development—newand existing.”

Model Performance Code Committeemember Robert E. Lee, P.E., is also theNOWRA Membership Committee Chair.Recently retired from his position as Chiefof the Municipal Technology Branch atEPA, Bob was previously responsible forthe U.S. EPA Response to Congress onOnsite and Decentralized WastewaterTreatment in 1997. He is now employedby the Loudoun County (Virginia) HealthDepartment as the Director of Environ-mental Engineering and Policy Devel-opment, where he is responsible for theonsite ordinances.

“The significance of the NOWRAModel Performance Code Project canbest be represented in dollars saved.Although I can’t give you an exactfigure, one must understand that it ishundreds of millions of dollars. The time to write a code in get itplace in a state is a multi year taskthat equates to a cost in salaries andexpenses. Wisconsin, who is aleader in code writing, had severalyears plus a litigation process to gothrough before it was over. Virginiawas shot out of the saddle earlier thisyear by the legislature, before anydebate took place, wasting the timeof staff and practitioners who workedto put a regulation in place and caus-ing another year to go by.

A similar thing happened in California.In Illinois, over a year has been losteven though there has been grantfunding to do the work, because no

staff is available, due to the typicalstate hiring process that will notallow them to hire for one thingwhen everything else is frozen.Multiply these types of experiencestimes fifty states, 3066 counties andthe other units of government that regulate onsite systems and one cansee part of the cost. The other cost isin materials and equipment that arerequired due to the differences betweenunits of government. To date, there islittle, if any, scientific basis to distin-guish between the requirements. TheModel Code will provide the basis toquantify the parameters needed tohave effective and efficient require-ments that will provide for publichealth and a quality environment.”

In addition, Bob is a member of theNational Society of ProfessionalEngineers, the Water EnvironmentFederation, the Virginia Onsite Waste-water Recycling Association, the WaterEnvironment Research Foundation, andChairs the Science Advisory Committeeof the Urban Waste ManagementResearch Center.

Shawn Luton is the National OnsiteProduct Manager for Hancor, Inc., a lead-ing national manufacturer of onsitewastewater products. These systemsinclude conventional 4" Channel-Flowpipe, gravelless pipe, EnviroChambers,distribution boxes, alternator valves, andpolyethylene septic tanks.

“Hancor is pleased to offer its supportof the Model Performance Codebecause we feel there is a definiteneed for a nationally unified regula-tory code. Because the Code willadopt certain performance standardsand include geographic data that isapplicable to all areas of the country,we hope this effort will offer a meansfor the regulatory community to con-solidate their existing codes underone Model Performance Code. Thevalidity of this approach is clearlyvisible when one considers that oftentimes, even adjoining states thatshare common land and soil features,differ greatly in their regulatory coderequirements. Hancor remains opti-mistic that with the effort and focuson this initiative through NOWRA

and the committee members, theregulatory community will one daybe united under a Model PerformanceCode that works for both the regula-tory community and their industrypartners.”

The NOWRA Model PerformanceCode June 2003 Committee MeetingThe next meeting of the ModelPerformance Code Committee occurs June 12-13, 2003, at the Hilton Hotel in Reno/Lake Tahoe, NV, following the National Environmental HealthAssociation's meeting. The meeting isopen to all who desire to participate. Hotel reservations can be made by callingthe Hilton central reservations number at 800-648-5080, and refer to the NEHAconference code “ENVIRO3.” Room ratesare $85.00 per night, plus taxes.

The Model Code Committee Meetingagenda identified at this time is shown atright. Please refer questions to MichaelCorry, Chairman, at 608-257-1787 or Linda Hanifin Bonner, NOWRA— 1-800-966-2942.

Thursday, June 12, 2003 Subcommittee Work Sessions9:00 a.m. Guidance Subcommittee10:00 a.m. Evaluation Subcommittee11:00 a.m. Soils Subcommittee12:00-1:00 p.m. Lunch1:00 p.m. Full Committee Meeting

SessionsOpen meeting -

IntroductionsAgenda Review -

Additions or ChangesReview of Nashville

minutes1:30 p.m. Status of onsite regul-

tions & codes in Nevada,California, NewMexico, and Arizona

2:00 p.m. Executive Director's Administration Report

Evaluation SubcommitteeReport

Guidance SubcommitteeReport

3:30 p.m. Break3:45 p.m. Group Discussion and

Direction5:00 p.m. Evening Assignments

& Adjourn

Friday, June 13, 2003Committee Meetings8:00 a.m. Convene Meeting -

Report on Evening Work

9:00 a.m. Presentation of Draft Soils Report

10:45 a.m. Break11:00 a.m. Continued DiscussionNoon Working lunch

(provided)1:00 p.m. Model Performance Code

"Pre-Conference" Workshop Discussion

2:00 p.m. QA Templatedevelopment

3:00 pm Break3:15 pm Continued Discussions,

Assignments and Production Schedules

5:00 pm Adjourn S

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National Onsite Wastewater Recycling AssociationReseach Database Project

Investigation of State and Local Government Performance Codes

Response Form (also available on NOWRA’s website as a pdf file)

While this survey is targeted primarily at the code official, other industry members, such as service providers, politiciansand designers, may want to contribute their opinions, experience or observations.

Instructions: Place information in blank cell to right of issue statement, and when completed, please fax to 410-798-5741. If providing supplemental materials such as actual code language and other documents, please send to P.O. Box1270, Edgewater, MD. 21037

Date

Name of State County

Name

Title

Phone

Fax

E-mail

Address

List any documents that may be available relating to the: code, specific language, and how to obtain them.

What is the code adoption process used in your jurisdiction?

• Uniform – state adopts, locals cannot modify

• Minimum – state adopts, locals can add provisions thatdo not diminish the state provision

• Other - State code is amendable by the county. They can add provisions, delete provision and modify up or down. If reducing the provisions, the county code still needs to protectpublic health

In your jurisdiction, what is the vertical separation distance between

drainfield and limiting condition for conventional systems?

What is the code enforcement process – both among the state andlocal government agencies and departments? Which layer of government is the primary enforcement entity?

What is your definition of "performance code"?

Describe the process used within the governing entity to decideon using the performance approach.

Describe the process and factors used to set performancestandard levels.

Describe how the areas identified in the next column are addressed and managed by the code/department.

Describe any barriers that exist to adopting a performance code and methods that may be or are used to overcome the barriers.

What cost and benefits were made available to the public with the inclusion of performance code provisions?

Describe plan/actions that have been or will be taken, or are neededin order to gain political support for a performance code provision.

Describe any communication plan or education program providedfor general public to gain support.

What was the cost of this effort?

In the process to change or adopt a code, was any assistanceprovided by an advisory group?

If so, please describe the makeup of the group and describeits working process.

On a separate sheet, please provide any other comments.

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Construction permits

Operating Permits

Operational monitoring/tracking

Operational – Service contracts required?

Certification

Education/Training – Prior to certification: regulators, service providers, owners

Training – continuing education

Program audits – state regulatory

Program audits – by state or local agents

System inventory

RME authorized – operate, ownership Describe system and actual experience

Enforcement – how and how well areperformance provisions enforced?

Other issues

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N SPECIAL APPRECIATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO THE NNOWRA MODEL PERFORMANCE CODE SPONSORS

IN PROVIDING THE RESOURCES THAT FACILITATE THEPARTICIPATION OF REGULATORS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS

IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS VITAL DOCUMENT

The U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Wastewater Management

The National Decentralized Water Resources CapacityDevelopment Project

Infiltrator Systems, Inc.Hancor, Inc.

PSA, Inc.

The American Decentralized Wastewater AssociationRepresenting manufacturing companies with products

complying with the ANSI/NSF Standard 40 Certification.(Bio-Microbics, Inc., Clearstream Wastewater Systems Inc.,

Consolidated Treatment Systems, Inc., Delta Environmental, Inc.Ecological Tanks, Inc., Hoot Aerobic Systems, Inc

Jet, Inc., Norweco, Inc.)

The Ohio Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association

NOWRA MODEL PERFORMANCE CODE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

The work to produce the Model Performance Code is currently supported through private donors, limited EPA andNDWRDCP funding. In 2003, this work load will increase and additional financial resources will be needed. NOWRAmembers can make a special donation to the MODEL PERFORMANCE CODE, by following the easy steps listed below.

1. Completely fill in the information on the form below, and sign your name representing the donor organization.2. Identify the amount to be donated, and designate it to "The Model Performance Code Education Fund."3. Place the information into an envelope and mail it to NOWRA, P.O. Box 1270, Edgewater, MD 21037-7270.

Name______________________________________________________________________________________________

Organization (if applicable) ____________________________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________

City____________________________________________________________________State_____ Zip ______________

Amount to be donated:_____________ Payment Terms:____ enclosed check ____ request invoice ____ credit card

■ Visa ■ MasterCard ■ Discover Card

Credit Card Number Expiration Date

Name on Card Signature (required)

Other organization contacts ____________________________________________________________________________

Do you want to be included on the list for meeting notices and updates? ■ Yes ■ No

N

C

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NOWRA MEMBERS – WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOUA vital part in developing NOWRA programs and information materials is our ability to understand the needs, concerns andpriorities that exist with our members in the onsite industry. Please take a few minutes to respond to the following questionsand fax the form to 410-798-0590 or send via e-mail to lhbonner@hanifin.com.

1. Identify the services such as education and training sessions that NOWRA currently provides that support you in your profession.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

a. Are CEUs required in your state for the licensing of onsite professionals? Yes ■ No ■

b. If so, who are the applied to? __________________________________________________________________________

2. Identify the products, such as the Onsite Journal, and technical publications that support you in your work.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What other services (education & training programs) or products would be beneficial to you as a professional, that

NOWRA could provide. ________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Do you attend NOWRA’s national technical conference? Yes ■ No ■

a. If so, what are the most useful sessions? ________________________________________________________________

b. What are the least beneficial sessions? __________________________________________________________________

c. What sessions would be most useful to you?______________________________________________________________

d. What is your opinion about the exposition area? __________________________________________________________

5. If you do not attend NOWRA’s national technical conference, please explain. ____________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Do you attend any State Group meetings and if so, which one(s)? ______________________________________________

7. Have you attended any of NOWRA’s regional workshops and if so, which one(s); if not what subjects would provide you

with professional growth and opportunities? ________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. What improvements or additions should be included in future Onsite Journal issues? ______________________________

______________________________________________________Would you prefer the information online only?_______

9. Has your state recently had any legislative or regulatory actions regarding the onsite industry? If so, please provide any __

additional details______________________________________________________________________________________

10. Would you be willing to work with one of NOWRA’s committees and if so, which one? ____________________________

Please provide any additional comments. ____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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PPublic education with the correctemphasis, including demonstratinga good, value may help sell the

concept of septic system managementand maintenance to consumers.

What do we know for sure?Much about the onsite industry remainsdebatable today (or at least is beingdebated), in many states across thiscountry. The range of issues in thislaundry list focus on technical topicssuch as:

• What constitutes an adequateseparation distance?

• What is the value of pre-treatment and its influence on separation distances and overall loading?

• What is the appropriate septic tank size and type?

• How should we structure our rules and how should these rules be applied?

• What is the value of uniformdistribution of effluent in soil?

• What is the value of soil itself?• How do we best do site

evaluations?• What is the amount of detail

needed in a site plan?• Does the method of soil appli-

cation of effluent matter?• What would the ideal septic system

look like?• and so on, and on and on.

One of the most frequent and importanttopics discussed these days is systemmaintenance. Like I said before, inonsite, we debate a lot of topics. Asexperts, perhaps that’s what we do best.But, this topic is not as debatable as it wasin the past. A credible body of evidencehas emerged that verifies the importanceof the maintenance of systems. If wewere to list all the documentation providedby manufacturers that refer to their systemsrequiring periodic maintenance, youcould build an extensive bibliography.

More importantly, this is not a newtopic. Septic and sewage system mainte-nance needs have been well documented.An example of this documentation existsin the classic treatise entitled: Principlesof Sewage Treatment, written by Dr.Dunbar, published by Griffin and Companyin 1908. We know for sure that septicsystems need to be maintained or theywill fail.

What does the consuming publicknow today?The simplest onsite systems, by currentdefinition, are septic tank and drain fieldsystems. These systems, of course, arenot simple and may in fact be the mostcomplex of onsite systems… anotherdebatable topic. These are the mostcommon and are referred to as conven-tional. Here are some plain facts aboutcommon systems and their owners:

• The typical septic tank in America isnot managed or maintained and the typical owner is uneducated regard-ing their wastewater treatment and disposal system.

• For example, many system owners do not know that cat litter should not be flushed down the toilet.

• Owners are generally unaware of theeffect of paint and pine oil on their system.

• System owners use toilet paper like it grows on trees! And then, wonderwhy back-ups occur!

• Systems usually only receive “main-tenance” when they fail, and then owners complain of the high costs for repairs.

• Often, a system fails because it did not receive regular mainte-nance, or a misuse goes unchecked.

• A failure or problem in a septic system today is evidenced bysurfacing waste, foul odor, or the presence of muddy dog-paw prints on the floor.

• System owners often do not realize that these failures can result in human illness andenvironmental contamination— just as exists when the municipal sewer line creates a back-up in the basement.

Failure, education, and theattention-getter.With typical septic systems, by the timea failure or problem is detected, the systemneeds heroic efforts to be revived orsimply is declared dead and replaced.This is when the consumer realizes thereal value of a functional system. Whydid this failure occur? Chances are thetank itself was never properly cleanedout; and wear items were never replacedor even inspected. The non-wear itemssuch as the drain field are now replacedat great cost to the system owner. As aside note, it is very interesting to observejust how many failures today seem toprecede real estate transfers. Were theowners so excited about moving, they

Professional Service Provider Ernie Reed. An actual service expert (ASE).

Making the Case for Industry Education aboutEffective Septic System Maintenance Practices

—by Matt Byers

19

just overwhelmed the system? Perhaps.Most likely however, the system was introuble long before the real estate transfer,and problems were just ignored. Theirinterest increased at the point of the realestate transfer…why? Money! Onceowners realized their septic system impactedthe value of their property (and it’s often areal big impact), they’re open to education.In fact, they ask for education.

Educating this group and all systemowners about the need for regular main-tenance and service could have saved alot of money and anguish. Money is oneof the most important things to the con-suming public. (Obviously, we don't careabout money; we're experts.) Althoughthe public we serve is interested in publichealth and the environment, their interestin their pocketbooks supercedes theirdesires for environmental stewardship.So, we educate their children about theenvironment because they’ll listen, canbe taught, and they are concerned andwill bring the message home. The grown-ups are busy earning a livingthrough work. Work is hard. Persons

like to spend the money earned throughhard work on what they like and choose.Not on what the experts say they need.This makes for a tough sell. If we wantto sell maintenance, we need to build acase the consumer will choose. Heck, ifSears can do it with lawnmowers, wecan do it, too.

Relating the cost of repairs due to a lackof maintenance needs should be a vitalpart of customer education. This processdoes not need to be sensational, just giveyour audience the facts about drain fieldreplacement costs versus maintenancefees. Today, a lot of good educationalmaterials exist and are available free ofcharge. Do you know that NOWRA hasa very useful educational folder thatadvises owners how to care for andmaintain their onsite systems, and tokeep an important record of all of theservice calls? So if we combine thesefine materials and the proper urgency,we may come up with a formula peoplewill embrace.

Systems and MaintenanceClearly, maintenance needs to be doneon a regular basis— but what does thisreally mean? Pumps need service, tanksneed service, treatment devices need service, filters need to be cleaned etc.No mystery. If this is the case, why hasit not been done to date? (As experts, weoften answer our own questions.) Theanswer is, owners have been led tobelieve that septic systems do not needmaintenance (bad education). This is a faulty notion with really dire impacts.We have to ask, why have these conse-quences been ignored? Once again, the same point is made—education ofsystem owners about maintenance hasnot been successfully done.

In time, maintenance of onsite systemswill likely become a regular practice.There are many reasons. Among them,the U.S. EPA issued specific guidance onthis topic; the cost of repair is great;people know more today than they didyears ago regarding system failure; andthere are professionals who are qualifiedand ready to do the work. States are

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continued on page 20

20

Making the Case…debating the issues now. This is a neces-sary process. But in the end, since main-tenance is needed and money is involved,it will very likely occur.

In fact, required maintenance is happeningin many jurisdictions. Treatment systemsthat have maintenance points built intothem are required in many jurisdictionswhere conventional systems just won’tdo the job. In such cases, permits maybe issued for such devices and a mainte-nance contract may need to be on file atthe health department office. The main-tenance steps defined by the manufacturer,and agreed to by the state, must be accom-plished, documented, and records kept onfile. So, in some places, required main-tenance is happening.

Maintenance, it turns out, is a ratherpainless procedure. For the professionalof today, the paperwork is likely the mostcomplicated part of the maintenance issue.That paperwork includes contract devel-opment, permits, deed attachments, billing,etc. For instance, septic tanks are easilyinspected by knowledgeable professionals,or as they have been come to be known,“actual service experts.” They can mea-sure scum, sludge, look at effluent, waterlevels, water bills, drain field appearance,etc. They can service pumps, blowers,flush lines, assess electrical servicequality, and inspect controls. They cansit down with a system owner and explainwhat has troubled their system and furtherexplain how to keep it healthy. Themore “complex” a system becomes themore steps that are required for inspec-tion and service. The more covers thathave to be removed, the more flushingand cleaning that need to take place, the more time a professional must spendworking. That time translates into dollars.Costs for system inspections and servicevary. In some areas, it costs $10/monthor $120/year for two inspections. Otherplaces are higher. But in the end, theconsumer needs to get a fair deal. Thecost of service needs to be reasonable.Fair day’s work for a fair wage.

Today, people such as Ernie Reed (seepicture of Ernie) do service on septicsystems. Ernie is a good example of a

man with vast septic system experience.In fact, his résumé is even more impres-sive. Ernie, like so many of his contem-poraries, does real work. He addressesseptic issues one system at a time. Heknows where sewage comes from andunderstands its fate. He knows what ahealthy tank looks like. He and hisfather have actually invested their ownmoney and purchased equipment thatallow them to make necessary repairs toailing systems or just to do regular main-tenance. Installers and service profes-sionals working in the field today vary intheir abilities, but many very knowledge-able persons exist. More are being createddaily through educational programs scat-tered across the U.S. The experts haveestablished a network of training centersacross the U.S. and have many fine curriculadesigned to achieve the goal of producingstrong service providers and installers.Make no mistake, the level of our profes-sion is increasing.

Systems and ManagementIn the U.S. today, we are moving towardmanagement of septic systems. Manage-ment is different than maintenance.Management facilitates maintenance.Maintenance steps are activities that needto be accomplished so your system willperform. We hear about RMEs (anacronym for the real name “responsiblemanagement entities”). See Tim Franks’article in “Frankly Speaking.” However,an RME may or may not perform mainte-nance. A management entity would likelysupport maintenance by providing for con-tracts, billing, permitting, etc., but may ormay not do the maintenance. Remember,paperwork is a big pain. To accomplish itis a good thing. If the RME does notwish to do maintenance, the RME couldsubcontract all the service work to localproviders. It could also “sub” (contractorjargon) the work out to large providers.As time passes, more local providers willbe qualified to do the work.

The idea of large-scale management isgrowing in some areas of the country. Ithas positive and negative aspects—anotherpoint for debate. On the up side, a suffi-ciently large RME can be a businesscapable of supporting itself (critical mass).

This is important. At the center of thecurrent debate is consumer choice andcompetition. As this industry develops,competition needs to be encouraged.Excellent products and services and abetter deal for the customer is whathealthy competition provides. Thisdirection also makes the concept ofmanagement a saleable idea. Demon-strate value to consumers and they’ll buy.Sometimes I wonder whether we expertsunderstand the value of a dollar andwhose dollar it is anyway.

The Ideal ScenarioSo what's the ideal local onsite septicsystem scenario? Again, as I am anexpert, I have the answer to that questionas do all my brother and sister experts.Ask us sometime. Or perhaps, we’ll justtell you whether you ask or not. By theway, as experts, we reserve the right toadjust the ideal scenario from time totime. The indisputable ideal scenariocurrently is:

• The consumer has problem defined by appropriate agency or person,

• appropriate technologies are chosen for a particular site,

• proper rules and regulatory controls are in place,

• products purchased fairly,• the technologies are installed

correctly and fairly, • owners are knowledgeable and

educated regarding their system• owners follow the instructions given

them, • system receives routine inspections, • the system is under a maintenance or

management contract that is fair and reasonable,

• bills are paid in a timely fashion for services rendered, and

• the consumer is pleased with the deal.

This scenario is quite possible and morelikely today than yesterday. And tomor-row will be better than today. To protectpublic health, to protect the environment,to protect the consumer’s investment intheir real estate, system maintenanceneeds to be done. S

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INTRODUCTION

The Winter of 2002/2003 saw some of the coldest temperatures,lowest snow cover levels and deepest frost depths in the UpperMidwest in many years. The result was that many septic tanks,drainfields, mounds, water mains and other under ground utilitiesfroze. In Minnesota, estimates were that 5-10% of the onsitesystems experienced freezing problems, with some northerncounties having freezing rates as high as 20-30%. SinceMinnesota has approximately 536,000 onsite systems (MPCA,2002) that’s 26,800 to 53,600 frozen systems, folks!

So many calls came into local regulators that many simplystopped counting. Pumpers had their busiest year in decades,with many firms operating close to 24 hours per day. Whenspring road postings went on, the Governor exempted pumpersdue to the vital service they were providing.

The economic effects of the situation were widespread, not to mention the perceived risks to public health and the environ-ment. Some residents questioned the viability of onsite systems, andmost were shocked to learn that simple upgrades, such as insu-lated pipes, could have kept their systems in service. If decen-tralized wastewater management is going to be accepted by thepublic as a viable alternative to regional sewer networks, we, asan industry, need to proactively address problems like freezing.Could such a disaster have been avoided? The answer to thisquestion depends on whether or not these types of freezingconditions could have been predicted. What is clear, is thatwe now know about the problem and can take steps to preventit from occurring again.

Cold weather insulation of utility infrastructure is not a new science. In places like Alaska and Canada, engineers havedeveloped tools and techniques to overcome the challenges oftheir cold climates. What is needed, and what will be providedhere, is a set of similar tools that can be used in cold climateareas of the 48 conterminous states.

THE ENERGY BALANCE APPROACH

The key to good thermal design is to develop an energy balanceequation for the particular application. For purposes of this arti-cle, a thermal design for a 1,000 gallon septic tank is developed.However, the same principles and practices can be used foralmost any other part of a system.

The basic energy equations can be expressed as follows:

Total Heat = Initial Heat ± ∆ Heat Eq. 1

where

∆ Heat = Heat Inputs ± Heat Outputs Eq. 2

In layman’s terms, the first equation simply states that the totalheat stored (or temperature) in a system at any time is equal toits starting temperature plus or minus any change in energy.The second equation states that the change in temperature isequal to the sum of the heat entering and leaving the system.To prevent a system from freezing, therefore, one must makesure that the total energy stored at any time is enough to maintainthe temperatures above freezing. To do this, one must makesure that the amount of energy lost is less than the heat inputinto the system.

Figure 1: Heat Gains and Loses in a Septic Tank

ENERGY BALANCE EXAMPLE

The next step is to develop a graphical model of the systemshowing the various paths through which heat can enter andleave a system. Figure 1 is an example of a simplified modelfor a septic tank (heat losses through the tank sidewalls areignored). We also need to quantify the amount of energy enter-ing and leaving the tanks. To do this, the following examplesituation will be analyzed:

Cold Weather Insulation of SepticTanks and Other Infrastructure

Scott D. Wallace, P.E. and Christopher D. English, P.E.North American Wetland Engineering

20 North Lake Street, Suite 210Forest Lake, Minnesota 55025

651-255-5050

Heat Lost toCold Air

Heat In fromEntering

Water

Heat Recoveredfrom Warm

Ground

Heat Lost toExiting Water

Insulating Layer

continued on page 22

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Cold Weather Insulation, continued• Serves a 3 bedroom home• 1,000 gallon capacity• 2 people in home; actual flow of 120 gallons

per day (gpd) at 50 °F (10 °C) • Septic tank lid is exposed (no cover)• Air temperature = 0 °F (-18 °C)

Next we must quantify the amount of energy entering and leav-ing the tank. It takes 4.186 mega joules (MJ) of energy loss tocool 1 cubic meter of water by 1 °C and 334 MJ of energy lossto make a cubic meter of water freeze (change from liquid tosolid) (CRC Press, 1974). In addition, studies by NAWE andothers have shown that the amount of heat transferred from theground is approximately 0.3 MJ/m2d (mega joules per squaremeter per day) (Kadlec & Knight 1996; Wallace et al. 2000).This means that the energy entering the tank from water everyday is as follows:

• Energy Entering Tank:

120 gpd = 0.45 m3/dWater Heat Input = (0.45 m3/d) x (10 °C) x

(4.186 MJ/ m3·°C) = 19.0 MJ/d

Tank Bottom Area = 4.5 m2Ground Heat Input = (4.5 m2) x (0.3 MJ/m2·d) = 1.35 MJ/d

Total Heat Input = 19.0 + 1.35 = 20.35 MJ/d

We also know that the thermal conductivity of the 6" (0.15 m)concrete top of the tank is 0.11 MJ/m·d·°C (mega joules persquare meter per degree Celsius per day). We can then calculatethe heat loss as follows:

• Energy Leaving Tank:Temperature of water leaving the tank = 32 oF (0 °C)Water Energy Loss = (0.45 m3/d) x (0 °C) x

(4.186 MJ/ m3·°C) = 0 MJ/d

R-value of 6" Concrete = (0.15 m) ÷ (0.11 MJ/m·d·°C) = 1.36Outside Air Temperature = 0 °F (-18 °C)Tank Area = 4.5 m2Concrete Heat Loss = [(0 °C – (-18 °C)) x (4.5 m2)]

÷ 1.36 = 59.6 MJ/d

Total Heat Loss = 0 + 59.6 = 59.6 MJ/d

This analysis tells us that the tank is losing energy (20.35 MJ/din; 59.5 MJ/d out) even though the residents are putting 120 gpdof relatively warm water into the tank.

HOW LONG BEFORE THE TANK FREEZES?If the effluent leaving the tank is 32°F (0°C) this does not necessarily mean that the water is frozen. Instead, we use thisdesign point because the water is still liquid and it still requiresa great deal more energy loss to cause the phase change fromwater to ice. As can be seen from our analysis, more heat isleaving the septic tank than entering it. What we now need to

know is how long it will take at an air temperature of 0°F (-18°C)before the tank freezes. This can be determined as follows:

• Energy Loss to Freeze

Tank Volume = 1,000 gal (3.8 m3)Ice Phase Change = 334 MJ/m3Energy to Freeze Tank = 3.8 m3 x 334 MJ/m3 = 1,296 MJ

Table 1: Time to Freeze at an Air Temperature of 0°F (-18°C)

Day Heat In Heat Out Net Change Heat Remaining (MJ) (MJ) (MJ) (MJ)

0 Starting condition 1,296.00 1 20.35 -59.6 -39.25 1,256.752 20.35 -59.6 -39.25 1,217.503 20.35 -59.6 -39.25 1,178.254 20.35 -59.6 -39.25 1,139.005 20.35 -59.6 -39.25 1,099.7520 20.35 -59.6 -39.25 51130 20.35 -59.6 -39.25 118.533 20.35 -59.6 -39.25 0.25

This tells us that the water in septic tank will run out of energyin 33 days and freeze, despite the 120 gpd of relatively warmwater entering the tank each day. For onsite systems to beaccepted by the public as viable long-term solutions, we asdesigners, need to design systems that don’t freeze.

PREVENTING FREEZING

We now must determine how much insulation is necessary toprevent a freezing condition. The approach requires determin-ing what equivalent R-value is needed to prevent freezing and isdetermined as follows:

• Calculating R-value of InsulationHeat loss must be decreased from 59.6 MJ/d to 20.35 MJ/DRequired R-value = [(0 °C – (-18 °C)) x (4.5 m2)]

÷ (20.35 MJ/d) = 4.0

Table 2: Thermal Conductivities of Various Materials

Material Thermal Conductivity(MJ/m2·d·°C)

Polystyrene 0.002592Air 0.002074Water 0.004925New Snow 0.004234 – 0.006912Old Snow 0.002160 – 0.110592Ice 0.190080Straw 0.007776Gravel 0.025920Sand 0.030240Soil 0.044928Clay 0.112320

Data adapted from Kadlec & Knight (1996).

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Therefore, for this example, it would take the following materialsand thicknesses to prevent freezing in the septic tank:

• Calculating Insulation Type and Thickness for 2 Types of Insulation (using Table 2)

Existing R-value for Concrete (R1) = 1.36Total R-Value Needed = R1 + R2 = 4.0Insulation R-value (R2) = 4.0 – R1 = 4.0 - 1.36 = 2.64

Polystyrene Foam Thickness = 2.64 x (0.002592 MJ/m2·d·°C)= 0.0068 m = 0.27 in

Soil Cover = 2.64 x (0.044928 MJ/m/d/°C) = 0.119 m = 4.7 in

This tells us that 0.27 inches of polystyrene foam or 4.7 inchesof soil cover would be sufficient to keep the tank from freezing.

CONCLUSION

This is a simple example but it lays out the foundation fordeveloping energy and heat balance models and equations forwhatever it is that needs insulating. It is important to recognizethat good construction practices (adequate cover, drainbackslopes on pipes, etc.) are still needed, along with adequate main-tenance, to keep onsite systems operating successfully duringsevere freezing conditions. S

REFERENCES

CRC Press (1974). Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.CRC Press, Cleveland, OH.

Kadlec R., Knight R. (1996). Treatment Wetlands. CRC Press,Boca Raton, Florida.

MPCA (2002). ISTS Report, Fall 2002. Minnesota PollutionControl Agency, St. Paul, MN.

Wallace S., Parkin G, Cross C. (2001). “Cold Climate Wetlands;Design & Performance.” Water Science & Technology, vol. 44,no. 11/12. IWA Publishing, London, UK.

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TThe questions abound regardingthe perpetual maintenance pro-gram that has been required by

30TAC285 since February of 1997.

Questions such as:• Why are the inspections not being

performed?• Why are reports not being sent to

the Owners?• Why are reports not being sent to

the Agencies?• Why are failing systems not being

repaired?• Why don't owners renew their

contracts?• The list goes on and on...

The answers are not difficult to identify,but there is not one answer that handlesall questions.

Some of the answers are as follows:The maintenance business is a very unattractive and unrewarding business:

1. Once an installer has done mainte-nance for a year or two, they decide that life's too short to deal with all the headaches for little to no reward.

2. Other than warranty work, inspectionwork is the least profitable activity in the OSSF industry. It is least prof-itable when performed by companieswho have heavy equipment-related overhead structures. Such companiesare excavation companies, and pre-casters.

3. If the accounting is done correctly, a

prepaid maintenance agreement is a liability, and must be shown as such on the company’s balance sheet. This has an adverse effect on the company's financial statements, unless the company can maintain large amounts of asset to offset the liabilities. If they do, then the main-tenance company becomes attractiveto a clever attorney.

4. Maintenance providers are in contin-uing contract relationships with home-owners, which is the most difficult customer base to manage. Most contractors are ill equipped to deal with the relationship problems of having homeowners as continuing customers.

5. The term "maintenance agreement" causes owners to incorrectly believe that the maintenance provider is responsible for fixing everything that happens to the OSSF at no addi-tional cost to the owner. From the onset, this places the owner and provider at odds.

6. Owners do not, as a rule, gladly pay charges for repairs to their OSSF. The contractor must secure payment in full “before the tears dry.” Other-wise, the likelihood of receiving prompt payment in full drops to around 50%. The time, the cost, andthe delay associated with then required collection actions aren't some-thing most contractors can handle.

7. Maintenance companies cannot afford to be proactive in growing

their volume by acquiring renewals. There is not enough profit in the work to cover the additional over-head of the acquisition efforts.

8. Owners do not know how to operatetheir systems, and the most ready source of information is usually theirmaintenance provider. The provider spends hours every day educating the owner for free.

9. The maintenance company is the first person or entity that informs thehomeowner of their OSSF responsi-bilities. The owner then “shoots the messenger,” as if it is the mainte-nance company who created the problem for the owner.

10. Every few months, the mainte-nance company goes on site, and touches the OSSF. Most often, this creates a belief in the owner’s mind that a problem with their system wascaused by, or overlooked by, the company. The owner, therefore, feels that the cost of repair is not their responsibility.

11. Owners expect service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.There is not money in the business to supply personnel to meet that expectation.

Regulators, some distributors, ownersand builders want a model that doesn'twork:

1. The most common situation is that the installer, a one person or very

Texas has taken great strides forward in utilizingtreatment products in onsite, mandating perpetual

agreements to oversee and assure the properperformance of these systems. Progress isn't

without struggle, however, as the followingarticle, reprinted with permission of the

Texas On-site WastewaterAssociation, shows.

Why isn'tmaintenanceworking?

by Jeff Snowden

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small excavation contractor if you really understand their business struc-ture, to perform the required mainte-nance on the system. The excavationcontractor generally finds that when doing maintenance, he/she is losing money, or at best, it detracts from theirprofit-making part of the business.

2. Since the excavation contractors aren't really in maintenance as a business, they don't put money in the installation budget for mainte-nance. They, are therefore, guaran-teed to lose money on each job over the following two years. No wonder they won't offer to renew agreements.

3. After the first two years, there is no negative repercussion to the excava-tion contractor for not offering a renewal contract (as is required by NSF). Therefore, they don't, which leaves the owner to search about frantically, looking for a replacementprovider.

4. Since there is no negative repercus-sion for not doing maintenance, there is no incentive to do the main-tenance work, or to pay for someoneelse to do it.

5. The practice of “certifying everyone”for maintenance does several things that support unworkable models.a. Allows the installing contractor to

believe that he/she has a cost sav-ings because they do not have to hire and pay a true maintenance company. As discussed before, this generally turns into poor maintenance work or the mainte-nance work not being done, and no offer to the owner for a renewalcontract.

b. Provides a constant supply of undercapitalized, inexperienced, uneducated and/or unaware main-tenance providers. The majority do not have the training, experi-ence, or the desire to deal compe-tently with the above business challenges. Since they have no

idea what they're getting into, theywork too cheap. In short time, we find they don't do the work and they don't stay in the business. Since they are not aware of the financial accounting requirements,they go out of the maintenance business with no money to pay forthe completion of their contracts.

c. Maintenance companies must be easily regulated. For that, they needto have physical addresses and physical phone lines, and have assets and income streams they wish to protect. Certifying every-one creates thousands of firms who cannot be easily regulated.

Enforcement is lacking: 1. Without enforcement there will be

little compliance. Virtually no one follows rules that aren't enforced.

2. Enforcement is an activity that the Authorized Agents and Designated Representatives have never had to do before 30TAC285, so they are not very skilled in this activity.

3. Court action is required to effect enforcement action, which is a very difficult process, even if well skilledat it.

4. There is no positive result to the Authorized Agents or Designated Representatives for a successful enforcement action. No revenues accrue to the agency. No promotionor advancement for the Designated Representative. In fact, the enforce-ment action creates additional costs to the agency, and distracts the Designated Representative from the duties that do generate revenues.

5. There is little to no negative result to the Authorized Agent or Desig-nated Representative for not perform-ing enforcement. The annual audit by TNRCC (now the TCEQ – TexasCenter for Environmental Quality)

rarely reveals deficiencies in enforce-ment, and there are no immediate repercussions if a deficiency is iden-tified. The only negative is if TNRCC takes back a program and issues charge backs, which we all knowthey don't want to do. Making the maintenance program work will re-quire several steps to affect a solution.

Suggestions are as follows:1. TREC (Texas Real Estate

Commission) requirement for new maintenance agreement at sale of property. ~ Part of title company's

responsibility2. Authorize Agencies to issue citations

(like traffic tickets) for non-compli-ance.~ Owner & installer have court

rights for appeal (like traffic tickets)3. Return revenues generated from

citations to Agencies.~ Percentage to State General Fund

to appease legislature~ Percentage to Agency to support

continued enforcement actions~ Percentage to (?) to support public

education initiative~ Percentage to TNRCC for

program support4. Establish requirements for mainte-

nance companies ~ Real Estate Act service company

as an example~ Financial requirements/accounting

requirements~ Annual report/audit~ Insurance requirements~ Standardize & centralize reporting

(like municipal)~ Fees to support maintenance program

5. Make mandatory program compliancean Agency requirement~ Administrative penalties for non

compliance.~ Eliminate chargeback provisions S

26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Charting our CourseMembership Growth

A group ofMinnesotans withlong associations inthe wastewater recy-cling industry haveformed a newNOWRA chapter. A Charter Meetingwas held on March 7,

2003, in St. Cloud, Minnesota at theRadisson Suite Hotel. About 45 peopleattended this meeting, where a Charterand Bylaws were adopted and a Board ofDirectors appointed. The new board ofdirectors includes Chris English,President; Barbara McCarthy, VicePresident; Peter Miller, Secretary; SarahChristopherson, Treasurer; and RobertWhitmyer, Alternate.

The group is called M-POWR—theMinnesota Professional Organization ofWastewater Recycling. Its mission is toprovide vision and leadership for theempowerment of all professionals andbusinesses engaged in the wastewaterrecycling industry while adhering to the core values of protecting consumerrights and enhancing both the environ-ment and public health. Part of thatvision is that the group will become theforemost wastewater recycling industryadvocate for the advancement of innova-tive and sustainable design, construction,manufacturing, regulatory and manage-ment practices.

M-POWR has laid out their organiza-tional goals in water quality manage-ment and protection, and sees their affili-ation with NOWRA as key to theirefforts. Five areas will be the focus:

Education is an investment and enrich-ment of professional opportunities.NOWRA and M-POWR educationalworkshops, seminars and forums aredirected to increasing and enhancingknowledge and skills about new andexisting onsite, cluster, and smallcommunity systems design, research,

management, and technology. These programs are developed and conductedby NOWRA and M-POWR educators,researchers, and leaders who are recog-nized for their national expertise andskills in the onsite, cluster, and smallcommunity industry. They fulfill respec-tive State requirements for industry certification and competency.

Training Sessions offered by NOWRAand M-POWR are intended to build new, and enhance existing, technical andprofessional skills concentrating on the procedures and practices for onsite, cluster, and small community systeminstallation, operation, maintenance, and trouble-shooting. Developed andconducted by manufacturers, equipmentpurveyors, and industry leaders, they aredesigned to achieve professional compe-tency and excellence within the industrycertification process, and to advance professional opportunities.

Information is essential for keepingahead of the technical changes within theonsite, cluster, and small community, anddecentralized industry. These activitieskeep NOWRA and M-POWR membersup-to-date with issues, legislative actions,products, and educational programs.

Professional Networking is the primaryactivity that establishes and maintainsalliances with colleagues in this industry.It is, in many ways, an instant link to theincreasing pool of experts in the onsite,cluster, and small community industry. It also providesopportunities forincreasing professionaladvancement andenrichment.

Involvement inNOWRA and M-POWRprograms, its commit-tees, and organiza-tional activities pro-vides professional

enhancement and knowledge. It is aprimary method for obtaining the mostfrom the member benefits. M-POWR has many State Associations in whichindividuals can participate on the locallevel. In addition, with today's techno-logical networking opportunities avail-able, members can easily participate in M-POWR work on a national level as well.

To quote Chris English, M-POWRPresident, “Our logo tells the story ofhow M-POWR will operate. We startwith a picture of a Minnesota lake atsunrise with two geese flying overhead.The lake represents the high valueMinnesotan’s place on the natural envi-ronment. The sunrise represents theoptimism of a new day and the potentialthat the future holds for the wastewaterrecycling industry. Finally, the geesesignify the importance of workingtogether as a team because of their habitof flying in a “Vee” formation—i.e., theindividual is empowered when the groupworks toward achieving a common goal.We will work with NOWRA to enhancethe professionalism and technical abilityof wastewater recycling contractors andconsultants for all Minnesotans. Wewelcome partnership and seek to buildstrong working relationships.”

Ed. Note: HI! You're here. Thank you.

New NOWRA Chapter Takes Shape in Minnesota

Non-Member State StatusSTATE

Alabama

Arkansas

Arizona

Colorado

Conn.

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

STATUS

INTEREST

FORMING

INTEREST

INTEREST

STATE

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Mass.

Maryland

Mississippi

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

STATUS

REJOINING

INTEREST

FORMING

INTEREST

STATE

New Hamp.

New Jersey

New Mexico

N. Dakota

S. Dakota

Oklahoma

Oregon

Rhode Is.

Utah

STATUS

INTEREST

INTEREST

INTEREST

27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A base group of Onsite Wastewater System Professionals haveexpressed an interest in forming a Colorado Group of NOWRA—the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association. A pre-liminary meeting was held in April (Ed. note—please see articleon page 7) and a Charter meeting is set for June 13th in Frisco,Colorado. YOU ARE INVITED and we hope you will attend.At right is an Announcement Flyer for the meeting. If you planto attend, an RSVP would be appreciated. As you will read onthe flyer at right, this is an organization which includes all phasesof the industry. We especially urge contractors/installers toattend. It is hoped that our organization will be able to offerHealth Insurance, Workman's Compensation benefits and tipsfor business improvements.

As a part of our process is selecting a name for our group,below is a list of possible names. Please let me know yourfavorites. (echurch@geo-church.com)

Colorado “NOWRA Jr.” Possible Names

Association for Recycling Wastewater, ARW

Association of Colorado Onsite Wastewater Professionals, ACOWP

Association of Colorado Wastewater Recyclers, ACWR

Colorado Association of Wastewater Recycling Resources, CAWRR

Colorado Association of Wastewater Resources, CAWR

Colorado Association of Professionals in the Onsite WastewaterIndustry, CAPOWI

Colorado Smallflows Association, CSA

Colorado Onsite Wastewater Industry Association, COWIA

Colorado Onsite Wastewater Professionals, COWP

Colorado Onsite Wastewater Recyclers, COWR

Colorado Professionals in Onsite Wastewater, CPOW

Colorado Wastewater Recycling Industry Association, CWRIA

Onsite Wastewater Professional, OWP

Onsite Wastewater Recyclers Association, OWRA

Resources for Recycling Wastewater Association, RRWA

Fill in your suggestion

Charting our CourseMembership Growth

Colorado Group Makes Progress

NATIONAL ONSITE WASTEWATER RECYCLING ASSOCIATION

comes to Colorado

Join other onsite wastewater professionals by attending theCharter meeting to form a Colorado constituent group of theNational Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA)

WHY: There is no unifying organization that brings togethereveryone in theOnsite Wastewater industry. NOWRAis the leading national onsite wastewater organiza-tion and has state constituent groups. A Coloradogroup can be leaders in onsite wastewater and pro-mote the industry in Colorado and Nationally.

WHO: CONTRACTORS, INSTALLERS, PUMPERS, REGULATORS,ENGINEERS, PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS ANDSUPPLIERS, DESIGNERS, VENDORS, PRECASTERS,OPERATORS and MAINTENANCE and SERVICEPROVIDERS, RESEARCHERS AND ACADEMICS,INTERESTED PARTIES such as REALTORS,DEVELOPERS, OWNERS, BANK AND MORTGAGEREPRESENTATIVES, PLANNERS, and MORECONTRACTORS AND INSTALLERS.

WHEN: Friday June 13, 2003, at 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Summit County Commons Building, 0037 Peak One Drive, Frisco, Colorado

FOR MORE INFORMATION call or write: Ed Church at 303-463-9317 or echurch@geo-church.comDoug Jatcko, 303-442-3207 or doug@frontrangeprecast.comEric Berquist, 303-463-8283 or eberquist@infiltratorsystems.netDerrick Eggleston, 719-395-6764 or valleyprecast@chaffee.netRoger Shafer, 303-463-9167 or rshafer@scgenterprises.comJim Rada at 970-668-4072 or jimr@co.summit.co.usEric Krch, 970-249-6828 or eric@buckhorngeo.comJay Hammond, 970-945-1004, or jayh@sgm-inc.comWarren Newell, 303-947-5400 or peak2peaksales@aol.comBarbara Dallemand, 303-463-9317 or bdallemand@geo-church.comNOWRA, 800-966-2942 or website: www.nowra.org

WE WANT AND NEED YOU THERE!THE ONSITE WASTEWATER INDUSTRY

NEEDS YOU.

28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NOWRA’s committees and their membersare a significant and integral componentin the professional growth of the organiza-tion. Committee members working at thegrassroots and local levels on educationprograms and servicing clients are thefoundation of our Association’s mission. It is the feedback from these activities to NOWRA’s leadership team from theservice provider to the pumpers to thedesigners and regulators that defines thedirection of the Association’s programs ontheir behalf. NOWRA is fortunate thatmany members active with their local andstate groups are also willing to participateon a more National level. While we needall levels of participation, we also need toexpand the activities.

WHY this message? The decentralizedindustry is changing… and these changesaffect members professionally and eco-nomically. These changes represent excit-ing opportunities for members to benefitfrom the growth that is occurring and willcontinue to occur throughout this decadeas the demand for onsite systems increase.

The increased demand for onsite anddecentralized systems is occurringbecause of two important events. Thefirst is the economic crunch municipalitiesthroughout the U.S. are facing that affectstheir ability to expand treatment plantsand collection systems. Second, with thesignificant advancements made in tech-nology and equipment by member manu-facturers, designers, and service providersover the past decades the ability to obtainthese systems at a more affordable costalso increases. The result of these eventsare stimulating a greater recognition of theonsite industry’s services and capabilities—

thus increasing the demand for productsand systems. With the demand for systems,products and services, also comes a highlyimportant need—for professional andhomeowner EDUCATION.

As these changes occur, NOWRA’s leadersneed to be in the forefront of facilitatinglegislation and regulatory actions. It is one of the reasons that NOWRA isleading the work to produce a Model Performance Code. NOWRA leaders must continually be well informed as tohow new regulatory actions affect mem-bers’ professional and economic interests.As a result, NOWRA is continuing itsproactive role in partnering with otherassociations, groups and political officialsthat further enables it to provide a leader-ship role in the decentralized wastewaterindustry.

NOWRA needs your participation.This is not a plea for a major time com-mitment. It is a request to volunteer a fewhours a month to review and report onlegislation, produce an article for theJournal, or contact other persons aboutimportant activities affecting the onsiteindustry. This small role will make a verylarge difference in NOWRA’s effective-ness with elected and regulatory officials!Imagine—if we multiply the factor of 3persons three times, with each accom-plishing one or two tasks, the progress wewould achieve would be impressive.

Here are just a few of the areas of activitythat as a NOWRA member, you can providean important volunteer contribution.• Meeting with local professional organi-zations such as the Rotary Group, chamberof commerce, business meetings and civic

groups—to inform them about the differencethat onsite and decentralized systemsachieve in water quality protection.• Participating in school science fairs andactivities—illustrating how onsite systemswork to protect water quality—also helpsto educate a younger generation aboutprofessional career opportunities in science and water resources.• Providing information and news articlesto the onsite journal on activities within yourbusiness, community, or a new product.• Making an appointment to meet localand state elected officials—NOWRA hasinformation folders available that help toeducate them about onsite and decentral-ized systems—and informing them aboutthe work of the Model Performance Code.• Keeping informed about future legisla-tion that may affect onsite industrybusinesses, and communicating this information to NOWRA leaders.• Organizing and meeting with localhomeowners to educate them about therole of maintenance and servicing of theironsite system—what they should andshould not do. NOWRA has folders, a CD presentation and education informa-tion available for distribution.• Presenting a paper at NOWRA’sconference about your work or a localproblem to be solved.

The following chart identifies the existingcommittee responsibilities and chair per-sons to contact to discuss how you cansupport the Association. Because NOWRAdues are significantly low, your volunteeractivities can help us to accomplish astronger national presence. Please contactthe NOWRA office either thru e-mail tolhbonner@nowra.org or fax informationto 410-798-5741.

Getting Involved in NOWRA—YOUR VOICE AND PARTICIPATION

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Name

Address

Phone/fax/email

Committee(s) interest

Comments or other matters

2003 PRO

GR

AMG

OALS

1.Establish 2003 themes and solicit copy for Onsite Journal them

es & operators’ articles.

2.Expand interest in Q&A column (“Ask the Expert”).

3.Review & recomm

end edits & changes to homeowner folder, web site and other

NOWRA publications.

4.Assure contact with constituent groups (state associations); identify needed support; assess interest and progress on contractor certification (see ETHICS # 3).

5.Define program costs for 2003, and review & provide input to m

ember services

program m

aterials.6.M

ake decisions about publishing the Onsite Journalfor 2003.7.Initiate needed web site design changes in 2002 for 2003.

1.Identify specific 2003 conference program non-technical events and activities to

hold in local area, prior to end of 2002 conference.2.Actively recruit m

embers, im

plement established work plan to prom

ote exposition opportunities.

3. Develop local strategies for contractor participation and emphasize the certification

priority in the model fram

ework. 4.Provide candidate list of high profile persons for luncheon keynote speech and

opening session.5.Identify them

e and effort for special social activities, assign persons for spouse activities; site tour & golf tournam

ent. 6. W

ork in conjunction with executive office to provide timely inform

ation.7. Provide input into 2004 & 2005 conference locations.

1. Hold joint meeting with Conf Com

mittee and NOW

RA leaders to identify overall conference them

e & direction.2. Define num

ber of program sessions; solicit abstracts & select speakers for

conference program sessions.

3. Provide list to Headquarters to send acceptance letter with instruction. 4. Review/edit papers prior to presenting or sending to Headquarters 5. Review and provide input to (a) m

ember services program

approach;(b) educational speakers’ list for m

embers’ services program

. 6.Identify 2003 Education Program

Themes, form

at & materials and instructors for

four mem

ber educational programs.

7. Contact mem

ber states and identify CEU requirements and ensure that NOW

RA'sprogram

s comply with needs for any available practitioner certification.

8. Identify location opportunities for hosting 3-5 educational seminars in 2004.

1.Obtain 3-4 persons to serve on comm

ittee.2.Contact all governm

ent relations persons in all State Associations and identify 2003 legislative issues affecting the onsite industry, including practitioner certification issues.

3.Research through internet other onsite legislative issues and recomm

end actions for NOW

RA to pursue, particularly related to practitioner certification. 4.Develop work plan. 5.Identify list of potential lobbiest candidates and task list to be addressed in 2003 6.Provide copy to Onsite/Insight. 7.Produce State Lobbying Handbook.

COM

MITTEE/ CH

AIR PER

SON

Comm

unications &Prom

otionM

ike Stephens

2003 Conference Program &

Exposition Leeann W

hiteheadand Brenda G

uy

EducationJim

Converseand Peggy M

innis

Governm

ent Relations

Bob Him

schoot

RO

LE

Ensure that effective comm

unicationstrategies continuously exist both withinthe Association and with external part-ners in order to facilitate and achieve theorganization’s work.

To advance the education and leadershipskills of its m

embers, and provide oppor-

tunities for essential dialogue on innova-tive technologies and m

anagement

through effective forums.

Actively work with all states to maintain

approval of Continuing Education Units(CEUs) for all NOW

RA courses.

Establish and facilitate ef fective comm

u-nication and m

onitoring strategies withlocal, state legislative and federal regula-tory officials.

RESPO

NSIBILITIES

Identify effective comm

unication strategies that show-case the achievem

ents of NOWRA, its m

embers, and

its national leadership in water quality protectionthrough production of the Associations publications,website, and hom

eowners education materials.

Works with Education & Executive Com

mittees to

implem

ent annual conference themes, provide innova-

tive programm

atic forums to integrate educational

and training sessions that benefit NOWRA m

embers

and the onsite industry, and provides support to head-quarters to secure keynote speakers and arrangem

entsfor the conference program

social activities.

Develop and disseminate training program

s and learning skills for all practitioners, in coordination with other organizations and states’ groups for all practitioners in the onsite industry.

Form partnerships with other organizations, develop

legislative strategies, organize and prepare constituentgroups and coalitions to advance and achieve accep-tance of the NOW

RA framework, perform

ance code,and other defined needs of the Association includingcontractor certification.

2003

PR

OG

RAM

GO

ALS

1.Up

date

com

mitt

ee m

embe

rs.

2.De

fine

work

plan

to im

plem

ent e

thics

cod

e wi

thin

the

onsit

e in

dust

ry.

3.Co

ntac

t Sta

tes

and

Asso

ciatio

n Tr

ainin

g Ce

nter

s an

d up

date

list

of l

icens

ing.

re

quire

men

ts a

nd c

ontin

uing

edu

catio

n ne

eds

to s

uppo

rt pr

ofes

siona

l cer

tifica

tion

4.De

velo

p wo

rk p

lan to

add

ress

issu

es a

ffect

ing

the

onsit

e in

dust

ry.

5.Re

sear

ch th

roug

h in

tern

et o

ther

Ass

ociat

ion

or in

dust

ry e

thics

pro

gram

s to

en

sure

that

NOW

RA's

wor

k (te

chni

cal a

nd e

duca

tion

mat

erial

s) h

as th

e hi

ghes

t cr

editi

blity

. 6.

Iden

tify

how

NOW

RA's

prog

ram

s in

tera

ct o

r sup

port

thos

e of

the

Cons

ortiu

m &

NSF

.

1.Id

entif

y co

mm

ittee

mem

bers

.2.

Set d

ate

for t

eleco

nfer

encin

g co

mm

ittee

mee

ting

and

Head

quar

ters

liais

on o

n pr

ogra

m a

ctivi

ties.

3.Re

view

and

prov

ide

inpu

t mem

ber s

ervic

es p

rogr

am a

nd a

ssur

e th

at p

ract

ition

er

certi

ficat

ion

is pr

iorit

ized.

4.Re

view

draf

t of m

embe

rshi

p st

rate

gy p

lan to

ach

ieve

targ

et g

oal o

f 10

new

NOW

RA a

ssoc

iatio

ns, a

nd id

entif

y pe

rson

s to

initi

ate

cont

acts

.5.

Impl

emen

t act

ion

step

s; a

nd re

view

and

prov

ide

inpu

t on

mem

bers

hip

mar

ketin

g m

ater

ials

for u

se in

gain

ing

100

new

indi

vidua

l mem

bers

in 2

003.

1.Co

mpl

ete

2003

/200

4 wo

rk p

lan a

nd p

rojec

ted

cost

s.2.

Inte

grat

e wi

th m

arke

ting

plan

for f

undr

aisin

g to

gro

ups

outs

ide

of N

OWRA

's

indu

stry

. 3.

Iden

tify

3-4

core

per

sons

to p

erfo

rm m

arke

ting

and

fund

raisi

ng.

4.Co

mpl

ete

work

task

s on

tim

e an

d bu

dget

.

1.Pr

oduc

e an

ong

oing

wor

k pl

an, i

nclu

ding

ass

istan

ce to

oth

er c

omm

ittee

s fo

cusin

g on

pra

ctiti

oner

cer

tifica

tion.

2.Sc

hedu

le an

d co

nduc

t reg

ular

com

mitt

ee m

eetin

g to

pro

duce

requ

ired

prod

ucts

. 3.

Iden

tify

and

solic

it fu

ndin

g so

urce

s.

4.De

term

ine

effe

ctive

com

mun

icatio

n an

d ou

treac

h m

etho

ds to

info

rm g

over

nmen

t of

ficial

s of

wor

k.

1.Pr

ovid

e qu

ality

ass

uran

ce to

ols

for N

OWRA

pro

duct

s.2.

Prod

uce

guid

ekin

es fo

r drip

disp

ersa

l sys

tem

s.3.

Resp

ond

to te

chni

cal i

nqui

ries

from

the

mem

bers

hip.

4.De

velo

p NO

WRA

’s te

chni

cal r

eview

app

rova

l pro

cess

.

1.Su

ppor

t NOW

RA’s

Conf

eren

ce P

rogr

am to

ens

ure

a fin

ancia

l suc

cess

.2.

Deve

lop

spec

ial e

duca

tiona

l pro

gram

s to

be

mar

kete

d to

hig

hly

orga

nize

d, w

ell

esta

blish

ed e

ntiti

es to

ser

ve a

s a

perm

anen

t inc

ome

stre

am.

3.De

velo

p an

Ass

ociat

ion

prof

ile w

ith a

ccom

pany

ing

broc

hure

s to

ass

ist in

mar

ketin

gth

e As

socia

tion

and

enha

nce

the

prof

essio

nal a

ppea

ranc

e of

the

Asso

ciatio

n.4.

Rese

arch

and

obt

ain g

rant

mon

ey a

nd o

ther

foun

datio

n re

sour

ces.

5.De

velo

p a

mea

ning

ful B

enef

acto

r Pro

gram

that

pro

vides

long

-term

fina

ncial

sta

bilit

y.

1.Re

view

by-la

ws fo

r nee

ded

chan

ges

and

brin

g to

Nov

embe

r stra

tegy

ses

sion.

2.W

ork

with

Gov

erna

nce

Task

For

ce to

facil

itate

pro

pose

d ch

ange

s.3.

Crea

te a

wor

king

com

mitt

ee to

inte

grat

e go

vern

ance

fact

ors

into

NOW

RA's

op

erat

ions

plan

.

COM

MIT

TEE/

CH

AIR

PER

SON

Lice

nse

& E

thic

s D

avid

Lin

ahan

Mem

bers

hip

Rob

ert E

. Le

e

Perf

orm

ance

Req

uire

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ts/

Mod

el C

ode

Mic

hael

F.

Corr

y an

dJe

an C

audi

ll

Stat

e As

soci

atio

n Pr

esid

ents

Tom

Fri

tts

Tech

nica

l Pra

ctic

eR

icha

rd J

. O

tis a

ndBo

b M

ayer

Fund

rais

ing

Bren

da G

uy

By-L

aws

Ted

Loud

on

RO

LE

Ensu

re th

at th

e es

tabl

ished

Cod

e of

Eth

icsis

adhe

red

to a

mon

g all

sec

tors

of t

hem

embe

rshi

p an

d re

late

to p

ract

ition

er

certi

ficat

ion

and

licen

sing.

Cons

truct

a fr

amew

ork

defin

ing

the

esse

ntial

com

pone

nts

to c

ontin

uous

lyat

tain

on

an a

nnua

l bas

is, 1

0%

mem

bers

hip

grow

th in

the

Asso

ciatio

n.

Deve

lop

and

adva

nce

unifo

rm p

erfo

rman

cest

anda

rds

for o

nsite

sys

tem

s, ba

sed

onris

k m

anag

emen

t pro

cedu

res,

that

pro

tect

publ

ic he

alth,

and

ach

ieves

wat

er q

ualit

yan

d en

viron

men

tal p

rote

ctio

n.

Serv

e as

an

com

mun

icatio

n co

ndui

tbe

twee

n th

e NO

WRA

lead

ersh

ip a

ndre

spec

tive

loca

l Ass

ociat

ions

to id

entif

ym

embe

rshi

p ne

eds,

and

pro

vide

esse

ntial

info

rmat

ion

deve

lope

d by

NOW

RA th

atco

ntrib

utes

to p

rofe

ssio

nal e

ffect

ivene

ss.

Prom

ote

soun

d an

d ap

prop

riate

te

chni

cal p

ract

ices

in th

e ap

plica

tion

of o

nsite

was

tewa

ter t

reat

men

t sys

tem

man

agem

ent.

Prov

ide

effe

ctive

stra

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Projects and tasks that are inprogress for 2003 include:

• Comments and changes havebeen received regarding theSeptic System Record-KeepingFolder. We hope to have arevised product completed andready for printing this year.

• We are working towards a pro-motion of our updated speakerlist. This list includes NOWRAmembers who are available tospeak at state associationevents and conferences onvarious topics.

• Linda Hanifin-Bonner has out-lined major improvements for theorganization’s website. We hopeto assist in any way to make thisthe “go to” website for all currentinformation of the Association andits related projects and partners.

• Improving our national and stateinformation exchange. We arestriving for greater exposure ofwhat’s happening in each state inregards to events, legislation andregulation changes, and memberaccomplishments and involvement.

We need your input and involvement.

Please feel free to contact me withany newsworthy items that arerelated to our industry. Althoughmuch of our communication aboutyour state happenings is throughyour association president or exec-utive director, you may alwayscontact me directly regarding arti-cles for submission and other infor-mation for publication. Thank you.

Mike Stephens, Chairperson

31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Communications & Promotions Committee

Exciting things are happening in the Association!The C & P Committee would like to, first of all, thank those members who have voluntarily assisted in providingarticles, updates, and other information for the Onsite Journal.

THANK YOU!

NOWRA wishes toexpress our sincereappreciation to our

ADVERTISERS,whose supportenables us to bring you the

Onsite Journal.

32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Monday, November 3, 2003 – Two Pre-Conference Workshops

Workshop #1DEVELOPING A MODEL PERFORMANCE CODE FORTHE ONSITE/DECENTRALIZED INDUSTRY

Representing a significant milestone in the Committee’s work,this workshop presents the products developed over the pastyear on this work. As the committee embarks upon the devel-opment of a draft report, the various committee reports will beused to engage in an active discussion with participants fortheir input during afternoon roundtable breakout sessions.

This workshop provides an update on the efforts and givesindustry members and regulators a valuable opportunity foressential input on the products underway. NOWRA membersof all industry segments are urged to attend and contribute tothis vitally significant event. This is your opportunity as a professional in our industry to learn more about the importanceof the Performance Standards Code to your work, and participate in their development.

Workshop #2CPR FOR ONSITE TREATMENT SYSTEMS—Addressing thecritical issues relating to system failure and renovation

This comprehensive workshop focuses on preventing failureand renovating failing onsite systems. Topics include assessingthe quantity and quality of wastewater as to its importance isassessing the cause of failure. Pretreatment devices, includingthe septic tank, ATU and media filters and soil based treatmentand dispersal units, such as mounds, at-grade and in-groundunits will also be evaluated relative to performance withdiscussion centering on how to renovate units that are not performing to expectations. Participants should be able to leave this workshop with a greater level of knowledge andunderstanding of performing CPR to onsite systems that are not performing to expectations. Following the workshop, participants will have an opportunity of visiting with NOWRAexhibitors to learn first hand about their products to supportthem in their profession, and address the issues being encountered. 6 CEU will be issued for this session.

Monday, November 3, 2003NOWRA Golf Tournament – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ContactNOWRA headquarters for more details—1-800-966-2942 (see separate article on page 35).

5:00 p.m – Official Conference Opening Session andExhibitors ReceptionWelcoming conference participants to the annual conference isalways a joyous opportunity to combine important networkingwith visiting NOWRA’s manufacturers and suppliers. A greatevening is being planned.

Tuesday and Wednesday, November 4 & 5, 2003NOWRA’s Comprehensive Two-Day Educational Course onTHE BASICS OF ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT—A to Z(pre-registration required)

A regular feature at NOWRA conferences, the A to Z courseprovides a comprehensive educational course that does not existin other programs. This unique, 12-session program takes thetopic of onsite wastewater treatment from its historic beginningsand covers the basics of wastewater chemistry, microbiology,and soil evaluations, as well as the varied systems and optionsthat produce a quality recycled water product. All course topicsare lead by experienced and credentialed NOWRA leaders inthe onsite wastewater industry, with a special continuing education certificate provided.

Wednesday, November 5, 2003 – Special Education and Training Session for Contractors, the Building Industry and Developers

With the pre-conference workshop spotlighting maintenanceand repair strategies, the stage is set for the next high-profiletopic in the onsite industry—educating builders and developerson the technology and practices of onsite systems and what isrequired of industry practitioners. The half-day session alsoenables attending NOWRA’s exposition and meeting the suppliers and manufacturers.

12th Annual Conference & Exposition November 3-6, 2003Franklin MARRIOTT Hotel and Cool Springs Conference CenterNashville, Tennessee

Decentralized Systems—The Changing World of Wastewater Treatment

PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT

NOWRA’s Board of Directors and Conference and Education Program Committees invite you to join them in November for the 12th Annual Conference and Exposition, in the beautiful state of Tennessee. This year’s program carries out the theme in providingthe leading education and technical expertise in the onsite industry. We anticipate that NOWRA’s 12th Conference will be its mostvaluable yet. Our goals are to ensure that you receive within the technical program sessions the latest technology, management guidance topics and regulations needed to enhance and build your professional skills.

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Thursday, November 6, 2003NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WASTEWATERTRANSPORTERS (NAWT) INSPECTORTRAINING & CERTIFICATION &RECERTIFICATION COURSE(separate registration)New participants in this course must attend NOWRA’s 2-dayBasics of Onsite Education Program, which is incorporatedon Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, the Specializers’Inspector Training occurs, and on Friday, a day of field training.Arrangements are being made with NSF for those persons desiringto receive this advanced certification. NSF Inspector Certificationrequires that applicants take the NAWT Inspector Training andCertification Program, in order to fulfill test requirements.

Educational Field Trip of Tennessee Onsite Systems This field trip provides data on several successful onsite systemscurrently being used in various types of soil conditions.Participants leave at 8:00 a.m. and return by 3:00 p.m.(separate registration)

Spouse and Guest ProgramThe Spouse and Guest Program is an open smorgasbord show-casing many of the near-by historic cultural and unique featuresin Franklin and Nashville, TN. It is also an opportunity forrelaxation, getting to know old friends and meeting new ones.More details are forthcoming.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)Up to 15 continuing education contact hours may be earned byattending the conference. Forms to submit to your state forapproval of Continuing Educational Units from the conferencewill be available at the Registration Desk. Check with yourstate to confirm that it will approve NOWRA’s ConferenceEducation Sessions as meeting its requirements.

REGISTRATION DATES AND DEADLINES

Conference Registration will officially begin on July 1, 2003,with an “early-bird” conference rate available to the advanceplanners, with significant savings. We are planning to featurean “online-registration” process beginning at that time. Thisinformation will be widely publicized.

The Preconference Rate that begins September 1, 2003, alsooffers a reduced rate to attendees. The cut-off period for thePreconference Rate is October 15, 2003. After that period, noreduced-rate registrations can be accepted.

Registrations after October 16, 2003, must be made on site atthe conference registration desk.

All registration materials and badges will be provided to atten-dees at the onsite Conference Registration Desk at the CoolSprings Conference Center. Confirmation of all Conferencepre-registration only (not hotel reservations) will be e-mailed asthey are received and completed by October 16, 2003.

Check-in and Registration HoursOnsite conference check-in and registration will be located in theCool Springs Conference Center Lobby (in the Marriott Hotel)and begin Sunday afternoon, November 2, 2003 at 3:00 p.m.

Exhibitor Registration and Set-up(Separate Registration Form on Page 38)Exhibitor registration begins and materials will be available forpick-up on Sunday, November 2, 2003, in the Cool SpringsConference Center—adjacent to the Exposition Hall. Set-up ofthe Exposition begins Sunday at 4:00 p.m. with services providedby Freeman Decorators. Special packages will be mailed byFreeman beginning August 1, 2003. Exhibit break-down isWednesday, November 5, 2003, at 4:00 p.m.

Registration PolicyRegistration prior to October 15, 2003 ensures that attendeebadge, session registration, event reservations, and conferencematerials are correct. No phone-in registrations can be accepted,although changes in previously made registrations may behandled by phone or fax. Registration forms may be mailedwith a check (payable to NOWRA) or credit card paymentinformation, or faxed with credit card information. All pre-registration forms must be received by October 15, 2003, andbe accompanied by payment in full in order to be processed.

Cancellation PolicyRegistrations must be in writing, and are refundable untilOctober 15, 2003, but will be charged a processing fee of$50.00. No cancellations will be accepted after October 16,2003, and no refunds will be given after that date.

Conference LodgingConference Headquarters will be at the Franklin MARRIOTTHotel, with a block of rooms reserved at a special rate of $99.00for attendees. Lodging facilities are also available at theHampton Inn and Ramada, located in the area, but do not havea reserved block at a special rate. All Lodging reservationsshould be made directly with the Hotels. See separate insert.

NOWRA MEMBERSHIPIf you are not a current NOWRA member* but would like tobecome one, you may receive a ONE-YEAR membership for2004 for $100 (regularly $140/year) and save on the full conference price!

* NOWRA membership is held on an individual, nontransferablebasis. To register at member rates, you must be listed in NOWRA’scurrent membership rolls, and all member dues and obligationsmust be paid in full. Constituent State Group Members: Pleasecheck with your State group to be certain that you have beenenrolled by them as a NOWRA member.

Student fee includes full conference registration and a studentmembership in NOWRA through 2003. Students must beattending college or graduate school full-time in a course of study related to onsite wastewater technology. You mustenclose a copy of your current college or university ID card.

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NOWRA 2003 Preliminary Conference Program SchedulePlease note that the schedule is preliminary at this time, and may be adjusted as final program details are completed.

DATE EVENT/ACTIVITY TIME ROOM LOCATION

Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003 NOWRA Board Meeting 1:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Board Room

REGISTRATION OPENS 3:00 p.m. Conference Center Lobby

Exhibitor Set-up 4:00 p.m. Center BallroomCommittee Meetings 4:00 p.m. Meeting Rooms

Monday, Nov. 3, 2003 REGISTRATION OPENS 7:00 a.m. Conference Center Lobby

GOLF TOURNAMENTContinental Breakfast 7:00 a.m. Conference Center

LobbyPre-Conference Workshop #1NOWRA MODEL PERFORMANCE CODE 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.Pre-Conference Workshop #2CPR for ONSITE SYSTEMS 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.Exhibitor Set-up 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Center BallroomOpening ReceptionExhibitors Welcome 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Center Ballroom

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003 REGISTRATION OPENS 7:00 a.m. Conference Center Lobby

Prayer Breakfast 7:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Meeting RoomCommittee Meetings 7:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Meeting RoomsTechnical Sessions 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Meeting RoomsAWARDS LUNCHEON & BUSINESS MEETING NOON -2:00 P.M. HOTEL TERRACE

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003 REGISTRATION OPENS 7:00 a.m. Conference Center Lobby

Committee Meetings 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.Technical Sessions 9:00 a.m. - NoonLunch Break Noon - 1:00 p.m.Technical Sessions 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.Exhibitor Break-down 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003 ONSITE SYSTEMS FIELD TRIP 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.Special Post-Conference Session 8:00 a.m. - Noon TBDBoard of Directors Meeting 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Board RoomConsortium Meeting 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. TBDNAWT INSPECTOR CERTIFICATION TRAINING COURSE 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. TBD

Friday, Nov. 7, 2003 NAWT INSPECTOR CERTIFICATIONTRAINING COURSE 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. TBD

COMPLETE DETAILS of the 12th Annual Conference Program & Exposition will be provided in the official announcement, available July 1, 2003.

Tentative

35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CALLING ALL GOLFERSNOWRA’S ANNUAL 2003 GOLF TOURNAMENTMonday, November 3, 2003 - 10:00 a.m.

EXCITING ADVENTURESat the

THE LEGENDS CLUB OF TENNESSEEGOLF COURSE

This one-of-a-kind golf course has been completely reserved for the entire day for NOWRA‚s members to participatein a fun-filled and enriching experience. The Legends Club of Tennessee is a superior rated, 36-hole facility with twodifferent 18-hole courses, both featuring bent grass greens, zoysia fairways, and bluegrass/fescue roughs. Located 5minutes from the Conference site (Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin), this facility has hosted numerous L.G.P.A. events.

NOWRA golfers and guests should not be timid about participating. This event is about meeting other golfers, enjoy-ing the beautiful outdoors—and even an opportunity to get in some business before the conference begins. The onlything requested is that cell phones are turned off.

WHO NOWRA members, spouses, guestsWHERE The Legends Club of Tennessee (1-1/2 m. north of Franklin)WHEN Monday, November 3, 2003 - 10:00 a.m.

FEES $125/per person or $400.00 for a foursome($100.00 to sponsor a “hole-name” sign)

Fee includes: prizes, beverages on the course, lunch, range balls, team/foursome photos. Mulligans can be purchased at $5.00 each.

REGISTRATIONName ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Company ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone_____________________ Fax_____________________ e-mail _______________________________________________

# _____ golfers Team members:______________________________________________________________________________________________

Single fee (per/person)_______________________ Team fee_______________________

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIESHole name sign ______________________________ ($100.00)

Door Prize ($25.00) ____________________________

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Exposition Hall Layout

Booth #2 National Precast Concrete Assoc.3 F. E. Myer4 Gast Manufacturing5 Zenon Environmental Inc6 Advanced Aerobics Programmer7 National Decentralized Water Resources

Capacity Development Project8 & 10 EZ Flow12 & 14 AK Industries

13 STA-RITE Industries16 NCS Wastewater Solutions18 Premier Tech Environment

19 & 21 SynergyWorld20 Crane Pumps & Systems22 SJE-RHOMBUS23 Wieser Concrete

24 & 25 Netafim USA26 & 27 Orenco Systems, Inc.

28 Reactor Dynamics Inc.

Booth #29 North American Wetland Engineering30 Enviraquip32 NSF International

37& 39 Xerxes Corporation38 Goulds Pumps40 EZ Tank46 Press-Seal Gasket Corporation48 Waterloo Biofilter Systems Inc.

49, 50 & 51 Delta Environmental52 Infiltrator Systems Inc.53 Concrete Sealants, Inc.

54 & 55 Bio-Microbics, Inc.56 & 58 Zoeller Pump Company57 & 59 NORWESCO Inc.

67 Zabel69 Consolidated Treatment Systems

71 & 72 FRALO Plastech Manufacturing74 Rietschle Thomas Shebouyan, Inc.

75 & 76 American Manufacturing

Make Plans NOW… It’s Not Too Late!The following companies and organizations have already registered for NOWRA’s 12th Annual Conference & Exhibition

in Franklin, Tennessee. Great booths (marked with an asterisk) are still available. For your convenience, a registration form is inc luded on the back of this page.

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NOWRA‘s 12th Annual Conference & ExpositionDecentralized Systems—The Changing World of Wastewater Treatment

COMPANY INFORMATION

Company / Organization (please print)

Address

City State Country Zip/Postal Code

Phone Number Fax Number Website:

Company name exactly as it should be listed

CONTACT PERSON INFORMATION

Person to contact for space assignment: Title:

Phone: Fax: Email:

Person to receive materials: Title:

Address

City State/Province Zip/Postal Code Country

Street Address (If PO box is used above)

BOOTH PERSONNEL AT CONFERENCE

Attendee #1 Last Name First Name Name on badge (if different from First Name)

Attendee #2 Last Name First Name Name on badge (if different from First Name)

Street Address

City State/Province Zip/Postal Code Country

Daytime Phone Fax E-mail

Exhibit Space Reservation Form

SPACE RESERVATION REQUESTWhile every effort will be made to accom-modate your placement request, preferencein booth assignments is given first toNOWRA‘s Corporate Sponsors, CompanyDonors and Sustaining Members.

Size of space Requested ■ Single (10' x 8')■ Double (20' x 8')

Booth choice(s) for our company are:

1st: ________ 2nd: ________ 3rd: ________

SIGNATURE REQUIREDI/we authorize NOWRA to reserve exhibitspace for my/our use. I/we certify that theproducts to be displayed are used in theonsite industry. I/we acknowledge the pay-ment and cancellations requirements con-tained in “Important Information.”

Exhibiting Company Authorized Signature

Title ________________________Date______

PAYMENT & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATIONBooth rental fees: NOWRA Member rate $850 (check)

$875 (credit card)Double: $1500 (check or credit card)

Name:________________________________

Member Number: ______________________

___New member (Membership enclosed–$140)Non-member rate $1000

Double: $2000 (check or credit card)Late fee $200

CONFERENCE SPONSOR DONATION■ Platinum–$2500 ■ Gold–$1500 ■ Silver–$750 ■ Bronze–$500

CONFERENCE PROGRAM ADVERTISING■ Full Page–$1000 ■ Prof. Business

Card–$250■ 1/2 Page–$750 ■ 1/2 Inside Back

Cover–$850■ 1/4 Page–$450 ■ Back

Cover–$1500■ Full Inside Front or Back Cover–$1200

Mail Completed & Signed Registration Formwith Payment in Full toNOWRA Exposition RegistrationP. O. Box 1270, Edgewater, MD 21037-7270or FAX Credit Card Paid Forms to: 410-798-5741

Registrations cannot be accepted withoutfull payment in U.S. Dollars. Please makechecks payable to NOWRA 2003 Conference Exposition.

Enclosed is our check #_________for $_________

■ Visa ■ MasterCard ■ Discover Card

Amount $_____________________________

Credit Card Number

Expiration Date

Name on Card

Signature (required)

Pmt. Recd ________ Entered___________Confirmed __________________________

National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association

Membership Membership ApplicationApplication

39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Note: Regulator Members must be employedby a federal, state, county or municipalgovernmental regulatory agency. Studentmembers must be enrolled as a full-time studentin an onsite wastewater technology relatedcollege level course of study. Student memberapplicants must supply, with their application,a photocopy of their current year full-timestudent ID card.

Please check a SINGLE Member Categoryfor NOWRA's Annual Directory and ResourceGuide (only 1 can be listed).

__ Academic __ Research __ Site Evaluator

__ Designer __ Engineer __ Installer

__ Contractor __ Soil Scientist __ Supplier

__ Vendor __ Manufacturer __ Operator

__ Manager __ Maintenance __ Regulator

__ Service Provider __ Compliance Monitor

__ Student __ Other Interested Party

Name & Address InformationPrefix_____ First_____________________________________ MI _____

Last ________________________________________________ Suffix ___________

Title ___________________________________________________________________

Company Name __________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________

City ________________________________ St/Prov _____ Zip/Post Code ___________

Telephone ___________________________ Fax ________________________________

Email ___________________________________________________________________

Payment Information

Amt. Enclosed (US$) $__________

■ Check Enclosed ■ MasterCard ■ Visa ■ Discover

Credit Card No. _____________________________________ Expiration Date _______

Name on Card __________________________________________________________

Signed _______________________________________________ Date ____________

Contributions to NOWRA are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. However, dues payments may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary businessexpense. Please consult your tax advisor for more information.

Member AnnualType Membership

____ Regular $140____ Regulator $ 60____ Student $ 35

Please print this form, complete it, then either fax or mail it to:NOWRA • P. O. Box 1270 • Edgewater, MD 21037-7270Phone: 410-798-1697 • Fax: 410-798-5741

Dear Colleague,

The National Decentralized WaterResources Capacity DevelopmentProject (NDWRCDP) is now solicitingproposals from interested project teamsfor a study entitled “DecentralizedWastewater System Reliability Analysis:Concepts and Methods for EvaluatingLife-Cycle Performance and Cost UnderAlternative Management, Regulatory,and Policy Scenarios.” The full RFP(study description, review criteria, etc.),

Proposal SubmissionInstructions, and forms may be down-loaded from the "Funding Opportunities"page of the NDWRCDP website athttp://www.ndwrcdp.org/funding.cfm(click on “Current RFQs/RFPs”).

The NDWRCDP was established to helpimprove the capacity of community

leaders, regulators, service providers,and others to respond to the increasingcomplexities of, and expanding need for,onsite/decentralized wastewater treat-ment. Through a Cooperative Agreementwith the U.S. EPA administered byWashington University in St. Louis, theNDWRCDP identifies and funds researchand development projects designed toaddress critical information gaps andstrengthen the foundations of trainingand practice in the onsite/decentralizedwastewater treatment field.

Please feel free to forward this RFPannouncement to other potentiallyinterested parties. This RFP announce-ment has been sent to the list oforganizations below, but is open to allU.S.[1] applicants.

Proposals are due by 5:00 pm Pacific localtime on July 8, 2003, and should be deliv-ered to the NDWRCDP Project Coordi-nator, at the address provided below.

If you have questions concerning thisresearch solicitation or your eligibility torespond, please email your inquiries tothe NDWRCDP Project Coordinator atthe email address provided below.Inquiries must be provided in writingand received by no later than June 13,2003. A copy of all inquiries and associated responses will be posted onthe NDWRCDP website athttp://www.ndwrcdp.org/funding.cfm._______________[1] The applicant organization must befrom the U.S., but foreignsubcontractors may be included on theproject team.

NDWRCDP Announces REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS for study entitled “Decentralized Wastewater System Reliability Analysis: Concepts and Methods for EvaluatingLife-Cycle Performance and Cost Under Alternative Management, Regulatory, and Policy Scenarios”

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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFWASTEWATER TRANSPORTERS, INC.

Registration for NAWT’s Inspection Training & Certification CourseLong Island, NY • Malibu, CA • Manchester, NH • Franklin, TN

Course Location:__________________________________________________________________________ Date:_________________________

Name:________________________________________________________ Company:______________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City,State,Zip:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

E-Mail________________________________________ Phone:______________________________ Fax:_______________________________

PRE-REGISTRATION ON SITE REGISTRATION 1-DAY Recertification (2nd day)■ NAWT Members: $195.00 ■ NAWT Member: $295.00 ■ Pre-registration: $150.00■ Non-member: $250.00 ■ Non-Member: $325.00 ■ On Site: $295.00■ 3 or more company registrations (members): $175.00 each

PAYMENT METHOD■ CHECK (PAYABLE TO NAWT) CREDIT CARD: ■ VISA ■ MASTERCARD

CARD NUMBER_________________________________________ EXPIRATION DATE ___________

SIGNATURE _________________________________________________________________________

National Association of Wastewater Transporters

INSPECTOR TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONCOURSE 2003 SCHEDULE

and REGISTRATION

You Can’t Afford to Miss this Training!Whether an experienced industry professional, government regulator or just startingout in the onsite business, you will obtain significant education and value in NAWT’sTraining Course. Your successful completion of this 2-day training program provides

you with a two-year National Inspector Certification issued by NAWT. This program isalso endorsed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Completion of this course

also enables inspectors to be qualified to take the NSF Certification Program Test.

The NAWT Inspector Training &Certification Course focuses onthe following topics that are criti-

cal to the education and skills neededwithin the onsite industry, consistentwith NAWT and NSF standards, andprescribed form. It also addresses thecomponents and their directions asidentified in the EPA VoluntaryManagement Guidelines.

§ An Overview of Onsite SystemsIntroduction: terminology, onsite

tanks, soil treatment systems

§ Inspecting the TankLocating tools, opening and checking

§ Inspecting the PlumbingLocation, checking leaks, sump, garbage

disposal, use and maintenance

§ Inspecting System Trenches/BedsLocating, opening, checking perform-

ance, closing and water tightness

§ Inspecting PumpsLocating, opening, checking

performance and testing

§ Inspecting MediaSand filters, peat filters, wetlands,

performance and problems

§ Certification Test

Steps for a system inspection that illustrate WHY it is a necessity

§ Collecting preliminary information

and characterizing household flow

characteristics

§ Inspecting sewage tanks including

septic tanks, holding tanks, aerobic

tanks

§ How to evaluate pumps in the system

§ Inspecting pre-treatment alternative

systems including media filters, con-

structed wetlands and drip systems

§ How to inspect soil treatment units

including beds, trenches, mounds and

at-grades

COURSE REGISTRATION FEES INCLUDE§ Course Instruction Notebooks and

Information Handouts

§ Daily Breaks & Lunch

§ Testing Materials

§ Certification

James Anderson, Ph.D., is a Professor inthe Department of Soil, Water and Climateat the University of Minnesota. He hasworked on the complex interactionsbetween soil and wastewater since 1971and how they affect the design and oper-ation of outside sewage treatment systems.He worked with the industry’s educa-tional pioneer, Roger Machmeier, in devel-oping Minnesota’s renowned educationalprogram.

David Gustafson, P.E., is a civil engineerwho has been a trainer in the nationally rec-ognized Minnesota licensing program formore than 10 years. He has explained septicsystem operation and performance to morethan 10,000 people from more than 30states. He is a registered civil engineer andregularly designs, troubleshoots, and ‘gets hishands dirty’ in the onsite field. His approachto training is hands-on and practical, with aspice of humor.

May 2003 – Southwest RegionMay 28-29, 20034-H Building828 Rodeo DrivePrescott, Arizona

May 30-31, 2003Maricopa Agricultural Center37860 Smith-Enke RoadMaricopa, Arizona

Registration—see the following website:http://ag.arizona.edu/waterquality/OWTFPage.htm#WorkshopScheduleContact: Kitt Farrell-Poe – 928-782-3836Email: kittpf@ag.arizona.edu

June 2003 – Southwest RegionJune 7-8, 2003New Radisson Hill Country ResortSan Antonio,TexasRegistration: Texas Onsite Wastewater

Association – 512-494-1125See website www.txowa.org

June 2003 – Northeast RegionJune 27-28, 2003Dave & Buster’s Meeting CenterLong Island, NYRegistration: NAWT Headquarters

800-236-6298Lodging – Hampton Inn, Long Island

August 2003 – Southern CaliforniaAugust 13-14, 2003Malibu City HallCity of Malibu, CARegistration: NAWT Headquarters

800-236-6298

August 2003 – New EnglandAugust 27-28Holiday Inn Center CityManchester, New HampshireRegistration: NAWT Headquarters

800-236-6298

September 2003 – Southwest RegionSeptember 27-28, 2003OMNI Westside HotelHouston, TexasRegistration: Texas Onsite Wastewater

Association – 512-494-1125See website www.txowa.org

October 2003 – Southwest RegionOctober 20-21, 2003Recertification only: Oct. 19, 2003Sheraton Old Towne HotelAlbuquerque, New MexicoRegistration: Contact Tom Duker

505-314-0324Email: tduker@mercury.bernco.gov

November 2003South/Central Region

November 6-7, 2003NOWRA Annual ConferenceFranklin Marriott Conference CenterNashville (Franklin), TennesseeRegistration: NAWT Headquarters

800-236-6298

Course Instructors

2003 Schedule

For course registrations handled through NAWT Headquarters, send completedregistration and payment. Pre-registration closes one week prior to course dates.

No refunds. Pre-payment is required.

National Association of Wastewater TransportersP.O. Box 1270 – Edgewater, Maryland 21037-7270

Registrations with payment information may be faxed to 410-798-5741Questions? Call NAWT at 1-800-236-6298

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42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NEHA Training, whose not-for-profitparent, the National EnvironmentalHealth Association, has educated healthdepartment inspectors about food safetysince 1937, is the expert of experts whenit comes to food safety training.

As a result of its impressive and afford-able program for food safety managercertification training, many individualswith food safety expertise have leveragedthat expertise to supplement their incomeby becoming one of NEHA Training'sdistinguished registered trainers.

As a registered trainer, one can offer highquality, affordable training to food safetymanagers who want to become certified.The total cost of materials and exams perstudent is only $31-$35, depending on thevolume of books purchased. (The trainersset their own prices for the training cours-es they offer.) The $31-$35 cost per stu-dent includes a copy of NEHA Training'stextbook, Food Safety ManagementPrinciples, and one Food Safety ManagerCertification Exam from the NationalRegistry of Food Safety Professionals.

NEHA Training's materials were devel-oped according to recommendations bythe Conference for Food Protection (CFP)and the U.S. FDA Model Food Code, andare available in English and Spanish.Additionally, the exam NEHA Trainingoffers from the National Registry is oneof only four that are recognized nation-wide by the CFP for the certification offood safety and protection managers. (In fact, NEHA Training's course materialsprepare food safety managers to pass anyof the four CFP approved exams!)

NEHA Training's registered trainersreceive everything they need to offerfood safety training courses to students: a Trainer Resource Pack complete withpractice exam, trainer guide and sessionnotes, activities, images, a CD-ROMPowerPoint presentation, Food SafetyCard Game, and 11 copies of NEHATraining's textbook Food SafetyManagement Principles.

NEHA Training has gained significantrespect for its food safety training prod-ucts and services. Following are quotesfrom some of the trainers NEHATraining has registered:

~ “It has been great doing business with NEHA Training.”

~ “Food safety training is hot right now, and classes are running at high enrollments.”

~ “Thank you so much for your helpfulness in getting us set up to start ordering with you!”

~ “The package just arrived, and I have opened it and have begun to look over the excellent materials youhave sent in the training resource pack. They look great! Thank you so very much for your assistance with all of these endeavors.”

~ “Thank you so much for the quick action on my registration, and I am so happy to have been approved as a new NEHA Training-registered trainer!”

The feedback NEHA Training has receivedfrom its registered trainers and others inthe food safety training industry has beenmuch appreciated. Compliments aboutthe quality, helpfulness, and low cost ofthe program come in regularly, and as aresult, NEHA Training is on track tobecome a major provider of food safetyeducation in the U.S.

To become a registered trainer, one mustcomplete an application and pay a regis-tration fee, which includes all of thebooks and materials described above. To receive an information and applica-tion packet, please contact NEHATraining by phone 303/756-9090 ext. 347,or e-mail support@nehatraining.com. Complete information is also availableon NEHA Training's Web site athttp://www.nehatraining.com.

CONTACT: NEHA Training LLCCarla Hafeman, 303/756-9090 x 347

Use Your Food Safety Expertise ToSupplement Your Income

44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

May 19-20, 2003Pa DEP Water Reuse and Recycle SymposiumFor info www.state.pa.us

Pa Keyword “Water Reuse 03”

May 29-30, 2003NAWT Inspector Training Course4-H Building, 828 Rodeo DrivePrescott, Arizona

May 30-31, 2003Maricopa Agricultural Center37860 Smith-Enke RoadMaricopa, ArizonaRegistration for both AZ courses—see the following website: http://ag.arizona.edu/waterquality/

OWTFPage.htm#WorkshopScheduleContact: Kitt Farrell-Poe – 928-782-3836

Email: kittpf@ag.arizona.edu

June 9-11, 2003NEHA 2003 Onsite Wastewater Systems ConferenceReno Hilton Hotel, Reno/Lake Tahoe, NevadaCall (303)756-9090, ext. 0

June 11, 2003NOWRA Board of Directors MeetingReno Hilton Hotel, Reno/Lake Tahoe, NevadaContact: 1-800-966-2942

June 12-13, 2003NOWRA Model Performance Code Committee MeetingReno Hilton Hotel, Reno/Lake Tahoe, NevadaContact: 1-800-966-2942

June 19, 2003Pennsylvania Onsite Wastewater ExpoDelaware Valley Collage, Doylestown, PAContact: David Linahan – 610/644/4254

dlinahan@yerkes-assoc.com

August 12, 2003POWRA Board MeetingYerkes Associates Office, Morgantown, PAContact: David Linahan - 610/644/4254

dlinahan@yerkes-assoc.com

August 12-13, 2003Existing System Evaluator TrainingMichigan Onsite Wastewater Training &

Education CenterFor info, call Barb DeLong (517)355-4720

August 19-20, 2003Onsite Wastewater Systems 101Michigan Onsite Wastewater Training & Education CenterFor info, call Barb DeLong (517) 355-4720

September 22-23, 200312th Northwest On-Site Wastewater Treatment Short

Course and Equipment ExhibitionSponsored By: University of Washington Department of

Civil & Environmental Engineering & Washington State Department of Health

University of Washington, Seattle WashingtonFor more information, contact:

Christy Roop Pack, Conference ManagerToll Free: 1-866-791-1275E-mail: uw-epp@engr.washington.edu

2003 CalendarAmericanDecentralizedWastewaterAssociation

(ADWA)ADWA is an association developed especially for companiesthat manufacture and market wastewater treatment devices certified as meeting the most recent version of ANSI/NSFStandard 40. ADWA will be at the forefront and will make adifference. We will develop an action plan to influence attitudesand regulations that affect the industry's well being. Together,leaders of the industry working through ADWA can expandacceptance in the market through research, development, education, and lobbying efforts. For more information, please visit our website at www.adwwa.org.

ADWA Activities• Establish and maintain consistent testing protocols, standards,

requirements, and limitations for technologies claiming toprovide comparable levels of performance.

• Monitor onsite wastewater treatment, laws, codes, guide-lines, training material, and technical advisory boards toensure that certified product manufacturers and technologiesare not discriminated against.

• Challenge through administrative, political, and legalprocesses discrimination against certified product manufac-turers and technologies.

• Develop and disseminate training and education materialrelated to onsite wastewater treatment.

• Promote the development and use of performance-basedmodel codes as they relate to onsite wastewater treatment.

• Promote environmental protection by establishing minimumhealth and safety standards for onsite wastewater treatmenttechnologies.

• Conduct routine meetings with policy makers and electedofficials to ensure that the goals of ADWA are met.

• Promote research activities related to certified producttechnology.

• Promote funding for certified product research and useconsistent with funding for research and use provided forcompeting technologies.

• Become the voice for the industry and the technology.

• Interaction with environmental, health, and regulatoryagencies to promote the industry and act as a resource foradvancing decentralized wastewater technology.

Onsite JournalOnsite JournalNational Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association

P.O. Box 1270 • Edgewater, MD 21037

PRESORT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPermit #2

NORFOLK, VA