WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE

When it comes time for communities to make decisions regarding upgrading or extending wastewater infrastructure, it is customary to hire a consultant to advise the community technically and financially. While guidelines recommend that all possible alternatives be considered, many consultants are not totally familiar with the latest developments in decentralized system technologies. Alternatives which involve decentralized wastewater treatment, onsite systems or other soil based systems may not be considered in detail due to lack of familiarity. In 1997, the US EPA published a report to Congress which provided an assessment of the status of onsite and decentralized wastewater treatment in the country. They identified several barriers that inhibit implementation of decentralized technologies which are: 1) lack of knowledge and public misperception; 2) legislative and regulatory constraints; 3) lack of management programs; 4) liability concerns of consultants and high engineering fees; and 5) financial constraints.

The general public has come to think of septic systems and other onsite wastewater treatment alternatives as second class options because that is the type of information they have been fed. The existing legislative and regulatory constraints in Michigan and across the country are based upon the belief that there are only two options: the conventional septic system and large diameter, gravity flow sewers with centralized treatment.

Significant technology advances have been made in the last decade to provide for excellent treatment of wastewater either onsite or in small cluster systems. With improved treatment and only a few inches of soil filtration, the wastewater can actually be of higher quality than that which is typically discharged directly into surface waters by large wastewater treatment plants.

Lack of effective management programs may be the most significant barrier to implementing decentralized technologies. Advanced onsite wastewater treatment requires the development of management programs to help the owner assure that the system continues to work properly. There are several models available for the development of local management programs.

If you have the opportunity to work with a community that is considering modifications to their wastewater infrastructure, encourage them to seek information on decentralized alternatives. A document that has been recently developed by the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) discusses a new paradigm for considering decentralized systems and developing appropriate regulatory and management structures. I would be happy to provide a copy of that document and other information to you if you would like to review it or if you have the opportunity to work with a community on wastewater issues. (loudon@msue.msu.edu)