Presenter: Dr. Sara Heger, University of Minnesota
Title: Evolving Wastewater - How do we adjust?
Content: Over the last 50 years, what has been going into onsite wastewater treatment systems has changed. There are many reasons why, including reduced flows and an increase in the use of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and sanitizers. Another substantial change has been our diet. This presentation will address the challenges with each of these changes and how they impact the concentration of various contaminants. Impacts upon treatment will also be covered. When troubleshooting an onsite wastewater treatment system these are items to discuss with property owners.
Title: PFAS and Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
Content: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals used in many consumer and industrial products, including cosmetics, food packaging, and non-stick pans. Wastewater is also a source of PFAS to the environment. When consumers utilize products in their home that contain these substances, they are delivered to an onsite sewage treatment system or wastewater treatment system. Related research on related impacts from onsite sewage treatment systems will be discussed along with methods to reduce the impact or remove PFAS.
Title: Tools to Educate Property Owners
Content: How do we educate onsite sewage treatment system owners? Over the last several years the University of Minnesota along with partners has offered in-person and online seminar training events during Septic Smart Week to educate property owners. With EPA funding NOWRA developed interactive homeowner/public training for onsite sewage treatment system owners and the public with best management resource for property owners to keep their onsite sewage treatment systems functioning properly. These materials exist in a free online class or can be offered in person. These materials focus on the importance of wastewater treatment, an overview of treatment in an onsite system, typical onsite system features, final treatment and dispersal, management, maintenance, safety, and system troubleshooting. While the material’s target audience is property owners who have an onsite system, the concepts are also applicable to the public, realtors, and local health officials. The training materials include a printed or electronic Onsite Wastewater Treatment System User Guide which is currently being translated into Spanish, and educational materials which can be offered in person or virtually.
Title: Troubleshooting Based Upon Wastewater Characteristics
Content: An Onsite Wastewater Treatment System is designed to remove contaminants from water before the water is dispersed into the receiving environment. Trouble shooting requires a solid understanding of wastewater contaminants, how contaminants are removed in a treatment system and what laboratory measurements of these contaminants represent. The contaminants are discussed using analogies to foster better communication of concepts to owners. Contaminant removal in treatment components is described, impact of contaminant loading rates and the associated maintenance activities resulting from the contaminant removal. The laboratory methods used to determine the concentration of the contaminants provide clues when troubleshooting treatment component performance. An expanded knowledge of these topics improved the troubleshooting skills of the service provider. The discussion is presented in a manner to enhance a service providers’ knowledge and ability to communicate technical topics to owners.