1. Overview: Decentralized Approach and Community Process  Laurie Brown Cloquet Regional Center 888-241-0724; 218-726-6475; brow1198@umn.edubrow1198@umn.edu  Doug Malchow Rochester Regional Center 888-241-4536; 507-280-5575; malch002@umn.edumalch002@umn.edu  Valerie PraxMora Regional Center 888-241-4528; 320-225-5054; malmq002@umn.edumalmq002@umn.edu http://septic.umn.edu www.extension.umn.edu Regional Extension Educators

2. Southeast Minnesota Wastewater Initiative Doug Malchow University of Minnesota Extension Service Educator (507) 280-5575 malch002@umn.edumalch002@umn.edu Education and Outreach Coordinator - SMWI Valerie Prax University of Minnesota Extension Service Educator 888-241-5054 #3 malmq002@umn.edumalmq002@umn.edu For more information http://septic.umn.eduhttp://septic.umn.edu Click on “Information for Small Communities”

3. Please turn off or silence your cell phone Thanks!

4. Professional Training – Designers, Inspectors, Pumpers, Installers Research and Demonstration Homeowner Operation & Maintenance Small Community Wastewater Education Program

5. Sewage Treatment Options Three Approaches to Wastewater Treatment Conducting a Complete Assessment Community Process for Making Wastewater Treatment Decisions

6. Community solution criteria Effective treatment – protect health & environment Affordable life-cycle costs: installation, operation, maintenance, repairs, monitoring, replacement Sustainable – water supply & economics Esthetically acceptable Reliable Manageable Adequate space Flexible – flow & waste strength Consistent with community values & culture Consistent with land use plan Fits a long range plan

7. Three approaches to wastewater treatment - 1) Centralized: –Collection network (many homes) –Central treatment facility(ies) –Discharge - surface 2) Decentralized: –Individual or small group of homes –On-site treatment facilities (near site) –Discharge - subsurface 3) Combination

9. Typical Cost Range per Connection in Low Density Areas Design & Installation: –Decentralized - $6000 to $15,000 –Centralized - $13,000 to $40,000+

10. Anatomy of a Septic System Plumbing: wastewater collection Septic tank: primary treatment Soil treatment system: final treatment/dispersal

11. EPA: “Decentralized approach will work” 1997 - EPA suggested ‘decentralized’ systems as a solution to many sewage treatment problems Why? –Now have good on-site treatment systems –Cost is usually lower than centralized Report: –www.epa.gov/ow- owm.html/decent/index

12. Decentralized systems: Individual or multi- household (cluster) Standard - trenches, mounds, at-grades Alternative Systems- –pre-treatment –final treatment/dispersal –separation Water supply options

13. Determining ‘decentralized’ feasibility Typical assessment: Compliant & Non-compliant More complete assessment: Compliant & ‘Could be’ Compliant & ‘Can’t be’ Compliant

14. Conducting a more complete assessment Map of parcels Records: –Permits –Age of systems –Maintenance Identify: –Likely compliant –Spot check Properties to be checked: –No records –Older than XX years –Suspected problems Map of findings –Well location –Property boundaries –Setbacks –Other (Soils, ?)

15. Comply (10)Don’t Comply (25) Minnesota Lake 35 parcels Typical Assessment

16. Comply (10)Can’t Comply (10)Could Comply (15) Minnesota Lake 35 parcels More Complete Assessment

17. Comply (10)Don’t Comply (25) Minnesota Lake 35 parcels Typical Assessment w/Central Treatment Cost to Community $15,000 per parcel Total Cost = $ 525,000

18. Comply (10)Can’t Comply (10)Could Comply (15) Minnesota Lake 35 parcels Complete Assessment w/Decentralized Treatment Cost to Community 10 x $0 =0 15 x $10,000 = $150,000 10 x $15,000 = $150,000 Total Cost = $300,000

19. Jefferson German Septic Status Green= ’96/later Red= pre-’96 White= no record

20. Small Community: Communities not currently served by centralized systems - “unsewered” Include: –incorporated –unincorporated –villages –shore lands –‘groups of homes’

21. What might be ‘unique’ about these small communities? –Small lots –Low overall density (perimeter of a lake) –Poor Soils –Especially valuable natural resource (I.e. lake, river) –Mix of seasonal & full-time residents –Growing or decreasing population –Income levels

22. How is wastewater currently being handled in ‘unsewered’ areas? On-site Disposal - –pipe to ditch/lake –non-compliant system –other? On-site Treatment - –compliant system

23. Characteristics of Successful Communities Understand current situation clearly before looking at possible solutions Use the ‘civic engagement’ model to involve diverse interests/views from the community Have or develop effective leadership from within the community

24. Characteristics continued –Recognize the bias’s and self-interests of professionals they’re working with –Defines an appropriate goal and boundaries –Identify and examine all options –Keep all affected parties informed

25. Success or failure? Success or failure in finding a viable solution is frequently more dependent on a sound community process than on the availability of treatment options and financing!

26. Exploring Small Community Wastewater Treatment Treatment Options Management Community Structures Costs & Financing

27. Form a Task Force Wide range of interests Citizens and local leaders Provides leadership for process Oversees the process (i.e. gathers information, point of contact) Shares information with stakeholders (especially residents)

28. Develop a Community Vision for Treatment Socially acceptable Cost effective Provides viable treatment option(s)

30. Establish Appropriate Boundaries

33. That provides:  Effective treatment - protects human & environmental health  Reasonable cost - Life cycle costs = capital costs & O & M Remember homeowners need to move from costs of occasional tank pumping to regular maintenance costs.  Socially acceptable - community values, culture, esthetics  Is well managed. The Community Process Finding a Viable Solution

34. Managing Small Community Wastewater Involves Education Process for community to select options Treatment Options Management of Systems Community Structures Costs & Financing Working with Professionals Community Process

35. Citizens of communities that succeed … Clearly understand their current situation before they start looking for solutions Know that only they can make the best decisions for their community Take responsibility for and ownership of the problem Have or develop members with strong leadership abilities Have a clearly defined vision and mission, and set appropriate goals

36. Citizens of communities that succeed … Take the time and energy to identify and examine all options before making decisions Gather information from as many sources as possible before taking action Keep all affected parties involved and informed all along the way Identify criteria for making decisions and use all identified criteria.

37. Communities do not succeed … When a small group makes the decisions and expects everyone to agree – and pay the bill When the community lets engineers, consultants or funding sources dictate their choices Result in chaos, bickering among neighbors, elected officials getting “un-elected,” and a loss of sense of community.

38. Keys to Success A community ‘vision’ or plan Civic engagement –  Responsibility  Ownership Setting the appropriate goals:  Treatment  Affordable  Community values/ character Effective leadership Understanding that all professionals have biases & self interests Identify & evaluate all options Involve all interests at the table Keep everyone informed. Remember:This is a LOCAL project not the fundersnot the consultants not the engineers It belongs to the residents

39. Message from all of this Heading towards everyone having a properly operating system and improved management at an affordable cost (ISTS/community) Goal: protect human health and environment

40. The Pitfalls of Improper Planning!