Public Health and Drinking Water Resources

Septic Systems can be a significant source of groundwater contamination leading to water-borne disease outbreaks and other adverse health effects. The bacteria, protozoa and viruses found in wastewater can cause numerous diseases including gastro-intestinal illness, cholera, hepatitis, and typhoid. Septic systems can contribute to source water contamination for various reasons including improper siting of the system, poor design, faulty construction, incorrect operation, and poor or no maintenance of the system.

Groundwater Foundation's Get Pumped!
Septic Education Kit: The Groundwater Foundation designed an easy to use toolkit to educate fellow homeowners and lake visitors about septic systems; and to encourage action among lake residents, communities, and their partners to work towards groundwater protection through septic system management. Available free by download.

EPA Septic System homepage
Has a variety of information to educate people about how to properly care for septic systems. Some materials are free of charge and can be downloaded and customized and printed for use in public education.

EPA has some educational brochures -- a shorter 2 page homeowners guide available as pdf files (EPA Publication EPA-832-B-02-006) and a longer version (19 pages) called A Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems (EPA Publication EPA-832-B-02-005) that explains how septic systems operate, why and how to properly maintain a septic system, and what can make their system fail.

EPA has a Source Water Protection Best Management Practices section with a 5 page Fact Sheet for Septic Systems titled Managing Septic Systems to Prevent Contamination to Drinking Water EPA 816-F-01-021 (see attached pdf file "EPA BMP Fact Sheet Septic...132 KB) as well as utility bill stuffers (see attached pdf "utility bill pdf")Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst
the latest information on preventing pollution on farms and in homes,assessment worksheets prepared by state programs, including programs on topics such as septic systems and protecting drinking water wells. Septic training can be found under training section of home page.

Home*A*Syst
An Environmental Risk-Assessment Guide for the Home is comprised of eleven chapters (including one of septic systems) to help you learn about, investigate and take action on environmental health risks in and around your home. Each chapter provides in-depth information and comprehensive checklists to help you evaluate your risk.

PA Department of Environmental Protection's home page for Wastewater managementThe National Small Flows Clearinghouse has a wealth of information on everything from the technical aspects of system design and soils, to how to raise public and financial support for your on-site or community wastewater projects, and how to provide homeowner education. The wonderful thing about Small Flows is that most of their ideas have actually been tried, so they work! They are also government funded, so what they offer is often low cost or free. They can be reached at (800) 624-8301. Sign up for their newsletter, Small Flows, and ask for a guide to their products and services. http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/nsfc/nsfc_index.htm

Case Study: The Lake McConaughy Education to Action project was established to address problems and issues related to on-site wastewater treatment systems, such as septic systems, at Lake McConaughy, Nebraska. The Lake McConaughy Education to Action project is sponsored by The Groundwater Foundation The project was made possible by a grant from the Clean Water Act, Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Program which is administered by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. Recently the project developed an informational door hanger brochure for homeowners. For more information about the Lake McConaughy Education to Action project contact The Groundwater Foundation by calling 1-800-858-4844 or email info@groundwater.org.

National Onsite Demonstration Program (NODP) Phase IV
The NODP Phase IV was established to promote, develop, and demonstrate management strategies for onsite wastewater treatment in our nation's small communities. Program staff can assist local officials in setting up management districts around the country by identifying successful management models and providing educational information about these models. Call the NODP at (800) 624-8301, or (304) 293-4191, or visit their Web site at www.estd.wvu.edu/nodp4.

National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association, Inc.
The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association, Inc. (NOWRA) is a national professional organization created to advance and promote the onsite wastewater industry. NOWRA serves all aspects of the industry including governmental regulatory personnel, installers, field practitioners, suppliers, distributors, engineers, research professionals, designers, consultants, educators, soil scientists and manufacturers. Call NOWRA at (301) 776-7468 or visit their Web site at www.nowra.org.