Septic Systems Demonstration Projects and Case Studies
Demonstration Projects
EPA invested over $35 million in more than 25 states for wastewater demonstration projects that highlight decentralized technologies, management programs, and education and training programs. These projects received funds through congressional appropriations and targeted an array of communities to demonstrate decentralized technologies and management.
Community work supported by the program spans a full range from environmental assessments, establishment of treatment system performance requirements, and system design. It also includes installation, operation, maintenance, and monitoring.
See the compendium and details about each project.
Case Studies
Case studies prepared by communities help other community planners, elected officials, health department staff, state officials, and interested citizens explore alternatives for managing their decentralized wastewater treatment systems.
The case studies are compiled into a compendium that show how local programs use various treatment technologies, from simple septic systems to advanced treatment clustered units, to address community needs.
The specific case studies are grouped into five models of decentralized wastewater system management by local communities: Homeowner Awareness, Maintenance Contract, Operating Permits, Responsible Management Entity (RME) Operation and Maintenance, and Responsible Management Entity (RME) Ownership.