WISCONSIN: Association Reviews Wastewater Study
The Wisconsin Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association newsletter reported on a study published in the Journal of Environmental Quality, “Removal of Organic Wastewater Contaminants in Septic Systems Using Advanced Treatment Technologies,” looking at the impact of onsite systems on releasing pharmaceuticals and other organic contaminants to the environment.
Researchers analyzed effluent samples and found that caffeine, the stimulant paraxanthine, and the pain reliever acetaminophen were the most frequently detected. Levels in conventional systems were comparable to those of municipal treatment plant influent, and levels after advanced onsite treatment were comparable to levels in municipal effluent. Sand filtration or aerobic treatment significantly lowered concentrations. For a copy of the study, call Ann Grpyhan at 608/256-7757.
MICHIGAN: Public Service Announcements
The Michigan Septic Tank Association approved funding for three professionally developed public service announcements. The 30-second spots encourage routine maintenance of onsite systems and proper septage disposal.
INDIANA: Volunteer of the Year
The Indiana Onsite Waste Water Professionals Association named Don Jones its 2008 Volunteer of the Year. Jones, retiring from Purdue University, was instrumental in developing the association’s certification program. Gary C. Steinhardt, Ph.D., replaces Jones on the association board. Steinhardt, a professor of agronomy and extension agronomist at Purdue University, is helping add CEUs to the association’s certification program.
FLORIDA: Wonder Worms
Stephan “Alex” Clary, son of Ray Clary of Honc Septic and Grading in St. James City, Fla., received first place in the environmental sciences division at the Southwest Florida Thomas A. Edison Kiwanis Regional Science Fair.
His project, Wonder Worms, hypothesized that the digestive tracts of earthworms could destroy E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria found in onsite wastewater systems. Clary also won first runner-up overall and received a four-year scholarship to Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers. He is a student at Providence Christian School in Cape Coral, Fla.
Onsite Triathlon
The Florida Onsite Wastewater Association newsletter reports that A-1 Septic of Orlando promotes the onside industry through its triathlon team. Members wear jerseys with the sponsor’s name — Infiltrator (Infiltrator Systems Inc.) — on the front and the letters FOWA on the back. As they travel the state, triathletes are often asked the meaning of the acronym.
“The question lets them respond with facts about onsite systems and how they keep our environment healthy,” says A-1 Septic owner Dave Smith. “I can’t believe the difference the effort has made across the state.” Smith is challenging any onsite company, department of health, supplier, or manufacturer to a race. The proceeds would benefit FOWA. Call Smith at 407/859-6285.
Traing & Education
NAWT
The National Association of Wastewater Transporters Inc. has these sessions:
• Aug. 25-26 – Inspector Training, Flagstaff, Ariz.
• Sept. 29-30 – Inspector Training, Arizona
• Oct. 9-10 – Waste Treatment Symposium, Orlando, Fla.
Call NAWT at 800/236-6298 or visit www.nawt.org. For Arizona classes, contact Kitt Farrell-Poe at 928/782-3836 or e-mail kittfp@ag.arizona.edu. For California classes, call MaryAnne Bobrow at 916/727-2692 or e-mail maryanne@cowa.org.
Alabama
Licensing classes are the joint effort of the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Association and University of West Alabama. Courses are at UWA Livingston campus unless stated otherwise:
• July 9-10 – Pumper
• July 21-22 – Maintenance Training for Onsite Installers, Crestview, Fla.
• July 29-31 – Basic Installer
• Aug. 12-13 – Continuing Education, Gadsden
Call 334/396-3434 or visit www.aowa.org.
California
The California Onsite Wastewater Association has a Science of Soils and Onsite Wastewater Disposal class on July 24 at San Luis Obispo. Call MaryAnne Bobrow at 916/727-2692 or e-mail maryanne@cowa.org.
Florida
Courses are at the Florida Onsite Wastewater Association’s Training Center in Polk City unless stated otherwise.
• July 7 – System Design and Function, Fort Myers
• July 9 – System Design and Function, Master IV, Davie
• July 21-22 – Maintenance Training for Onsite Installers, Crestview
• Aug. 17-18 – Maintenance Training for Onsite Installers
• Aug. 20-21 – Maintenance Training for Onsite Installers
• Aug. 25-27 – Onsite Technologies from A-Z
• Aug. 28 – What’s New at the Training Center?
Contact FOWA at 407/937-2228 or www.fowaonsite.com.
Michigan
The Michigan Onsite Wastewater Training and Education Center at MSU Tollgate Center in Novi is offering these courses:
• Aug. 12-13 – Existing Systems Evaluator Training
• Aug. 20 – Pumped Systems Evaluator Training
• Sept. 24-25 – Onsite Wastewater Systems Maintenance
Call Barb DeLong at 517/355-4720 or visit www.egr.msu.edu/age/outreach.html.
Minnesota
The University of Minnesota Extension has these classes:
• July 1 – Soils Continuing Education, Crookston
• July 14 - Soils Continuing Education, Blue Earth
• Aug. 11 – Sampling Onsite Systems, Waterville
• Aug. 18-21 – Service Provider, Mankato
Call Nick Haig at 800/322-8642 or visit http://septic.umn.edu.
New England
The New England Onsite Wastewater Training Program at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston has these workshops:
• July 15 – Surveying Techniques for the Onsite Wastewater Contractor
• July 16 – Microbiology for Wastewater Professionals
• July 29-30 – Advanced Soil Morphology (Mark Stolt)
• Aug. 6 – Surveying Basics for Onsite Wastewater Contractors
Call 401/874-5950 or visit www.uri.edu/ce/wq. Contact Mark Stolt at 401/874-2915 or mstolt@uri.edu.
North Carolina
The North Carolina Septic Tank Association has these courses:
• Aug. 12-13 – Installer/Inspector, Greenville
• Aug. 14 – Pumper, Greenville
Call Connie Stephens at 336/416-6394 or visit www.ncsta.net.
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Septage Management Association is offering these courses:
• July 15-16 – Onsite Inspection, Chester
• July 22-23 – Onsite Inspection, Bordentown, N.J.
Call 717/763-7762 or visit www.psma.net.
Pumper invites state associations to post notices and news items in this column. Send contributions to editor@pumper.com.
Calendar
June 17-19
Arizona Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association 2009 Onsite Wastewater Educational Conference, Radisson Woodlands Hotel, Flagstaff. Call 928/632-3900 or visit www.azonsite.org.
Aug. 6-8
Florida Onsite Wastewater Association Conference, Ocean Center, Daytona Beach. Call 407/830-4381 or visit www.fowaonsite.com.
Aug. 12-14
North Carolina Septic Tank Association Outreach Symposium, Greenville Convention Center, Greenville. Call Monica Rhea at 704/739-5849 or visit www.ncsta.net.
Aug. 28-29
Georgia Onsite Wastewater Association Conference, Marietta Conference Center, Marietta. Call 678/646-0379 or visit www.onsitewastewater.org.
