WasteWater Education (Onsite Wastewater of Northwest Michigan) 2006: "Water To Waste." education publication.

Page One:
US Environmental Protection Agency in 2006 entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with a collaboration of wastewater organizations.

The purpose of this MOU is to formalize the ongoing cooperative relationship between the EPA and the Signatory Organizations in order to effectively address issues pertaining to decentralized wastewater treatment systems.
The MOU is intended to facilitate cooperation, collaboration, consultation, coordination, and effective communication between the EPA and the Signatory Organizations." [MOU in Adobe PDF Format 240k]

Also in 2005, EPA Office of Water issued: Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems A Program Strategy. [Adobe PDF Format 1.4 MB]
"Decentralized wastewater treatment systems (commonly called septic systems) are a significant component of this nation’s wastewater infrastructure. They can be an effective option for protecting public health and the environment if properly designed, installed, and managed. They can be a significant threat to public health and the environment if they are not.
I am pleased to publish this Strategic Plan to improve the performance of decentralized wastewater treatment systems. This Strategic Plan presents our key goals and planned actions for our decentralized wastewater treatment system program. It builds on existing partnerships to provide a solid foundation of information, training, management, and oversight. It includes components for regulators, service providers, and property owners. I believe this Strategic Plan is a significant step forward for communities that choose a decentralized approach to help protect the health of their citizens and the environment: A message from Ben Grumbles, Assistant Administrator of the Office of Water

• For more information on EPA's list of onsite sytems technologies click here.
• For more information on the basics of conventional onsite collection and treatment systems see this page on the NOWRA web site.
• The National Environmental Service Center has moved its printed publications—On Tap, Small Flows, and Pipeline—to an electronic-only format. As an environmental organization, they determined that it made sense to deliver information in as “green” a manner as possible. For the latest issue of their publications, as well as several years worth of back issues, visit the NESC website at www.nesc.wvu.edu. NESC also encourages professionals to sign up for their listservs to learn when new publications are posted and for other news. To sign up, visit www.nesc.wvu.edu/listserv/cfm.
• A Septic System Owner Guide is also available from Michigan State University Extension and University of Minnesota.
• Water To Waste Page Two: Watershed based management and 'decentralized' infrastructure. Dr. Richard Otis Ph.D., P.E., DEE
• Water To Waste Page Three: Environmentally Sensitive Sites and engineered wetland systems.
• Water To Waste Page Four: National Onsite Demonstration Projects and Benzie-Leelanau Health District
• Water To Waste Page Five: Installation, siting and professional associations
• Water To Waste Page Six: Community management options and Responsible Entity Models
• Water To Waste Page Seven: Tanks, Professional Waste Haulers, certification and training
• Water To Waste Page Eight: The Case For and Against a Statewide Sanitary Code for Michigan
• Water To Waste Page Nine: Advanced technology and research resources
• Water To Waste Page Ten: A word about our partners [errata: the web address for Benzie-Leelanau Health District is www.bldhd.org]
• Water To Waste Page Eleven: Information and advice for the homeowner [errata: On page 12 the web address for Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program is listed incorrectly. This is the correct link. MGSP offers Home*A*Syst - an individual property owner water and wastewater evaluation consultation. Contact your local MSU Extension Office or Conservation District to ask to speak with a Groundwater Stewardship educator.]
• Water To Waste Page Twelve: Financing and Other Reference Information

P.O.Box 792, Traverse City, MI 49685-0792
TEL: (231) 233-1806
For more information contact Executive Director

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