Septic Systems Technical Resources

• Technology Fact Sheets
• Approved Technology Products by State
• Related EPA Programs
• National Resources
• Local Resources

• Searchable Clearinghouse of Wastewater Technology (SCOWT)
• Water Finance Clearinghouse

Technology Fact Sheets

• Decentralized Systems Technology
• Wastewater Technology
• Water Efficiency Technology
• Septic Tank Additives (pdf) (609.27 KB)

Advanced Onsite Technology Products Approved by State

Advanced Onsite Technology Products Approved by State
A web-based list of links to state information about the advanced technology products approved for use, the product approval process, and the state agencies which oversee the use of advanced treatment systems for decentralized wastewater management.

Related EPA Programs

Many EPA programs relate to the decentralized wastewater program and provide information about how decentralized wastewater is integrated in environmental quality, planning, protection, and conservation.

• Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
  Clean Water State Revolving Fund programs in each state and Puerto Rico are funded by EPA and operate like banks. Assets are used to make low- or no-interest loans to install new systems; replace, upgrade, or modify inadequate or failing systems; and establish decentralized wastewater management programs.
• Biosolids Program
  During the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment facility, solid, semisolid or liquid untreated residue, called sewage sludge, is generated. When sewage sludge is treated and processed, it becomes biosolids. Biosolids can be safely recycled and applied as fertilizer to improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth.
• Coastal Waters
  Coastal Zone Management programs must satisfy specific conditions, including the adoption of onsite wastewater treatment systems management measures that protect nitrogen-limited waters.
• Drinking Water Source Water Assessment and Protection
  A significant number of community water systems list onsite systems as a potential contributor to pollution of underground and surface drinking water sources.
• National Estuary Program
  A number of National Estuary Program Comprehensive Conservation Management Plans list the reduction of nutrient and bacteria loadings from onsite systems among their key objectives.
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Wastewater Permits
  Onsite wastewater treatment systems that discharge can be covered under general permit programs.
• Nonpoint Source and the Section 319 Grant Program
  Under section 319 of the Clean Water Act, EPA annually provides grants to states for controlling nonpoint sources of pollution, such as agricultural runoff, mining activities and malfunctioning onsite septic systems. In states where onsite systems have been identified as a significant source of such pollution, these funds may be used to construct, upgrade, or repair onsite systems.
• Wetlands Protection and Restoration
  Onsite systems can be a significant source of nutrient inputs to valued wetlands, limiting the wetlands' ability to process nitrogen and phosphorus loads from other sources.
• Source Water Protection
  View the Citizen's Guide to Ground-Water Protection, and find information on state and tribal initiatives, various EPA programs, and grants that support source water protection.
• Stormwater Phase II of the NPDES Program (PDF) (4 pp, 297 K, About PDF)
  Phase II requires each municipal separate storm sewer system to address six minimum control measures. One measure is to detect and eliminate illicit discharges, including flows of partially treated sewage from septic systems that reach storm sewers.
• Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
  Nutrient and bacteria TMDLs often include septic systems as a key contributor to violations to water quality criteria and impairment to beneficial uses.
• Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program
  Large-capacity septic systems are subject to regulation under the UIC program. The disposal of industrial or commercial waste into an onsite system can inhibit wastewater treatment and cause the system to fail. Chemicals can also pass through the system, enter the ground water and pose a serious contamination threat.
• Water Quality Standards
  Water Quality Standards define the goals for a waterbody by designating its uses, setting criteria to protect those uses, and establishing provisions to protect water quality from pollutants. Many states have found failing septic systems have caused waterbodies to exceed acceptable water quality standards.

National Resources

• National Onsite Demonstration Project (NODP)
  The NODP demonstrates the use of alternative, onsite wastewater treatment technologies to protect public health and ensure water quality in small and rural communities. It was funded through the EPA and is directed by the National Environmental Services Center at West Virginia University.
• Decentralized Water Resources Collaborative
  The collaborative, formerly known as the National Decentralized Water Resources Capacity Development Project, conducts research and provides outreach to help communities understand onsite/decentralized wastewater treatment alternatives. The project is now managed by the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) and other partner organizations.
• Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP) Help for Small Community Wastewater Projects
  RCAP provides training and technical assistance to address wastewater treatment and disposal issues in small, rural, and Tribal communities.
• National Rural Water Association (NRWA) Wastewater Program
  NRWA’s wastewater technicians work with their State Rural Water Associations to assist small and rural communities to enhance and maintain the financial viability of their wastewater systems through technical assistance and/or training.
• National Association of Counties
  NACo represents county governments and serves as an instrumental role in our nation’s intergovernmental partnership between federal, state, local and tribal government officials.
• Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN)
  A "first-stop shop" providing environmental management, planning, funding, and regulatory information for local government elected and appointed officials, managers, and staff.
• Certified Installer of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Credential Program
  The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) has worked with various partner groups to develop a national credential program to certify installers of onsite wastewater treatment systems. The credential tests the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for installing an onsite wastewater treatment system, covers all forms of installation, and is offered at a basic and advanced level. Note that the credentialing program was discontinued due to the high cost of maintaining the exam. Visit the website for more information.
• The Wastewater Information System Tool (TWIST)
  An off-the-shelf, user-friendly management tool for state and local health agencies to inventory and manage small wastewater treatment systems. It is designed to track information on homes and facilities served, permits, site evaluations, types of systems, inspections, and complaints.
• Planning for Septic Systems: Use of Online Decentralized Systems in Developing Areas, Factsheet (pdf) (542.11 KB)
  A guide for county decision makers, planners, and local public health officials on planning for septic systems.
• It's Your Choice: A Guidebook for Local Officials on Small Community Wastewater Management Options (pdf) (30.41 MB)
  Booklet about wastewater management systems for communities serving populations fewer than 10,000 people presenting wastewater treatment options for community officials and decision makers.

Local Resources

• Model Program to Assist State Septic Programs in Managing Water Quality Impacts in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
  In June 2013, EPA initiated a model program for onsite wastewater treatment systems in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to help states prevent nutrients from entering the Bay. The program is a collaboration between EPA and state and local partners to reduce nitrogen discharges from onsite systems. The program implements a 2009 presidential executive order recognizing the Chesapeake Bay as a national treasure and requiring the federal government to lead an effort to restore and protect the nation's largest estuary and its watershed.
• Guide to a Model Program for Onsite in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (pdf) (9.5 MB)
  Assists states in developing and implementing a program to manage onsite systems and minimize nitrogen impacts to the Chesapeake Bay.