1 Partners in Progress US EPA’s Memorandum of Understanding with Organizations Involved in Decentralized Wastewater Management April 29, 2008

2 Drivers for Addressing Decentralized Systems Unmanaged systems are significant contributors of nonpoint source pollution and impacts to source waters Unmanaged systems are significant contributors of nonpoint source pollution and impacts to source waters Inconsistent approaches in state/local management programs Inconsistent approaches in state/local management programs Risk-based designs, technology approvals, O&M requirements, etc.Risk-based designs, technology approvals, O&M requirements, etc. A significant part of the nation’s infrastructure A significant part of the nation’s infrastructure

3... But Decentralized Systems Can and Do Work! “Adequately managed decentralized wastewater systems are a cost-effective and long-term option for meeting public health and water quality goals.” EPA, 1997

4 EPA’s Decentralized Wastewater Program Strategy (January 2005) Vision: Decentralized systems are appropriately managed & perform effectively to protect human health & the environment; a key component of our nation’s wastewater infrastructure. Mission: EPA will provide national direction and support to improve performance by promoting perpetual management and upgraded professional standards of practice.

5 Progress Made to Date Provided guidance on effective management programs, i.e., Voluntary Management Guidelines Provided guidance on effective management programs, i.e., Voluntary Management Guidelines Issued Management Handbook to supplement Guidelines Issued Management Handbook to supplement Guidelines Updated technical design manual to address performance-based approach Updated technical design manual to address performance-based approach Supported national credentials for inspectors, installers and pump truck drivers Supported national credentials for inspectors, installers and pump truck drivers Supported model regulatory code Supported model regulatory code Supported research and demonstration projects Supported research and demonstration projects Issued Homeowner’s Guide Issued Homeowner’s Guide Recognized states which have voluntarily adopted the Guidelines Recognized states which have voluntarily adopted the Guidelines AZ, NJ, NC, FL, IA, RI, AL, OK, GA, DE, MD, VA, WIAZ, NJ, NC, FL, IA, RI, AL, OK, GA, DE, MD, VA, WI Initiated MOU Initiated MOU

6 Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Cooperation in Decentralized Wastewater Management Programs Implemented: January 12, 2005 Implemented: January 12, 2005 Duration: Three years Duration: Three years Purpose: Purpose: To formalize the ongoing cooperative relationship between EPA and its partners to effectively address decentralized wastewater issues.To formalize the ongoing cooperative relationship between EPA and its partners to effectively address decentralized wastewater issues. To facilitate effective collaboration and communication between the partnersTo facilitate effective collaboration and communication between the partners

7 Objectives of the MOU Strengthen external partnerships Improve decentralized system performance through improved practitioner competency, management practices, and technology transfer. Improve oversight through enhanced state, tribal and local program implementation Improve local decision-making through enhanced public awareness Support the principles outlined in EPA’s Voluntary Management Guidelines

8 Current MOU Partners Water Environment Federation (WEF) Water Environment Federation (WEF) National Small Flows Clearinghouse National Small Flows Clearinghouse National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT) National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT) Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP) Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP) National Association of Wastewater Transporters (NAWT) National Association of Wastewater Transporters (NAWT) Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Treatment Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Treatment

9 Sectors Covered Academia – professors, researchers, extension Academia – professors, researchers, extension Service providers – installers, site evaluators, inspectors, operation & maintenance providers, pumpers Service providers – installers, site evaluators, inspectors, operation & maintenance providers, pumpers Engineers and design professionals Engineers and design professionals Product manufacturers Product manufacturers Local regulators Local regulators Elected officials – town managers Elected officials – town managers

10 What the MOU Can Offer Effective mechanisms for information exchange and technical assistance Effective mechanisms for information exchange and technical assistance Access to members of partner organizationsAccess to members of partner organizations Improved industry professionalism Improved industry professionalism Training for inspectors, installers, maintenance technicians, pump truck operatorsTraining for inspectors, installers, maintenance technicians, pump truck operators Credentialing programsCredentialing programs Consistency in development of tools Consistency in development of tools  Model regulatory code to assist in upgrading and modernizing regulations  Training programs and materials  Glossary with standard terminology, operations and maintenance training manual Opportunity to conduct outreach efforts to promote improved system operation, maintenance, and performance Opportunity to conduct outreach efforts to promote improved system operation, maintenance, and performance

11 MOU Accomplishments Joint training and credentialing program for installers began in 2006 Joint training and credentialing program for installers began in 2006 Training, testing, and credentialing by NAWT, NEHA, NOWRA, CIDWT designed to improve consistency and professionalism among installersTraining, testing, and credentialing by NAWT, NEHA, NOWRA, CIDWT designed to improve consistency and professionalism among installers Credential being required by some countiesCredential being required by some counties NAWT inspector, operation and maintenance, and vacuum truck training NAWT inspector, operation and maintenance, and vacuum truck training 65 workshops with 3000 individuals trained in 2005 – workshops with 3000 individuals trained in 2005 – 2007

12 MOU Accomplishments (cont.) Model code workshops – led by NOWRA & supported by all partnersModel code workshops – led by NOWRA & supported by all partners NESC’s State Onsite Regulators conference attracts staff from nearly all state onsite wastewater management programsNESC’s State Onsite Regulators conference attracts staff from nearly all state onsite wastewater management programs Participation in each others’ conferencesParticipation in each others’ conferences

13 Goals for the MOU Renewal Continue ongoing collaborative efforts Continue ongoing collaborative efforts Incorporate state focus and research component into the MOU Incorporate state focus and research component into the MOU Clarify state regulatory and management practices Clarify state regulatory and management practices Provide input on research needs and improve access to research results Provide input on research needs and improve access to research results Conduct public awareness efforts to promote improved system operation, maintenance, and performance Conduct public awareness efforts to promote improved system operation, maintenance, and performance

14 New Partners Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators Ground Water Protection Council Ground Water Protection Council State Onsite Regulators State Onsite Regulators Water Environment Research Foundation Water Environment Research Foundation SORA

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16 Questions?