White Papers Champion Decentralized Systems
The State Onsite Regulators Alliance developed two white papers to increase awareness and help decentralized wastewater systems be viewed as permanent infrastructure. “Decentralized Onsite Wastewater Technologies: Sustainable Green Infrastructure Protects Source Water Quality and Public Health” makes the case that state and national officials should view these technologies as environmentally effective and economically viable options for wastewater treatment.
“Decentralized/Onsite Wastewater Projects and Programs: Opportunities for Funding” advocates that these systems should be eligible for clean-water state revolving loans and other programs that fund centralized public sewer projects. Download the papers at www.nesc.wvu.edu/SORA.
Grassroots Effort Garners Success
The Michigan Septic Tank Association Legislative Committee testified twice in support of HB 4578, legislation that would require local governments to provide a receiving station if they ban land application of septage. State Rep. Ken Goike, a former MSTA director and author of the bill, MSTA legal consultant Joseph Quandt, board members Mark Scott and Joe Williams, and MSTA Legislative Committee Chairperson Dave Snyder answered questions from the committee. The House of Representatives passed the bill in Oct. 2011.
Alberta Promotes Self-Enforcement
As part of the Alberta Onsite Wastewater Management Association enforcement initiative, installers reported 15 witnessed accounts of installations that do not uphold industry standards. The association then alerted the local inspector and Alberta Municipal Affairs Assistant Deputy Minister Ivan Moore. To help him make more informed decisions, Moore asked the association to provide milestone dates that outlined enforcement actions the department should take.
COWA Approved as Accrediting Agency
The California Onsite Wastewater Association has been approved by the Department of Public Health as an Accrediting Agency for the RegisteredEnvironmental Health Specialists continuing education program. The Septic Education Outreach Forum offers continuing education credits for Registered Environmental Health Specialists who must complete 24 hours of such training every two years.
Training & Education
Georgia
The University of Georgia’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences is offering a Contractors and Pumpers course on:
• Feb. 1 – Hazlehurst
• Feb. 7 – Griffin
• Feb. 14 – Griffin
Contact the Continuing Education Center at 770/229-3477 or conteduc@uga.edu.
Soil Science Inc. in Crawfordville, Ga., has Soils and the Landscape CEU-approved classes on:
• Feb. 1 – Americus
• Feb. 8 – Tifton
• Feb. 15 – Carrolton
• Feb. 22 – Buford
• Feb. 24 – Dublin
Call Thomas Macfie at 770/307-7311 or visit www.earthandwaterclasses.com.
Minnesota
The University of Minnesota Water Resources Center has these classes:
• Feb. 6-8 – Introduction to Onsite Systems, St. Cloud
• Feb. 9-10 – Installing Onsite Systems, St. Cloud
• Feb. 22-23 – Installer Continuing Education, Bemidji
• Feb. 23 – Pipelayer, Bemidji
• March 5-6 – General Continuing Education, Willmar
• March 7-9 – Advanced Design and Inspection of Onsite Systems, Part 1, St. Cloud
• March 14-16 – Maintaining Onsite Systems, Brainerd
• March 19-21 – Introduction to Onsite Systems, Farmington
• March 22-23 – Installing Onsite Systems, Farmington
• March 27-28 – Solutions for Difficult Sites, St. Cloud
• March 29-30 – Pumping/Maintainer Continuing Education, Brainerd
Call Nick Haig at 800/322-8642 (612/625-9797) or visit http://septic.umn.edu.
Oregon
The Chemeketa Community College in Salem has these CEU classes:
• Feb. 15 – Installer
• Feb. 22-23 – Maintenance Operator
Call 503/399-5181 or visit www.chemeketa.edu/busprofession/ccbi/customizedtraining/deq/classes.html.
Washington
The Washington On-Site Sewage Association and Washington State Department of Health in cooperation with Washington State University are offering these certification courses at the training center in Puyallup unless stated otherwise:
• Feb. 8 – Electrical Control Panels, Spokane
• Feb. 15 – Safety Management for Small Business Owners
• Feb. 22 – Design: Matching System to Site Conditions, Mt. Vernon
• Feb. 29 – Maintenance Basics, Port Angeles
• March 7 – Troubleshooting and Repairs
• March 15 – Design of Subsurface Drip Systems, Bellingham
• March 28-29 – Exam Review for Designers
Call WOSSA at 253/770-6594 or visit www.wossa.org.
Pumper invites your state association to post notices and news items in this column. Send contributions to editor@pumper.com.
Calendar
Jan. 11-12
Iowa Onsite Waste Water Association Conference, Iowa Events Center, Des Moines. Call Alice Vinsand at 515/225-1051 or visit www.iowwa.com.
Jan. 15-16
Nebraska On-Site Waste Water Association Annual Convention, Lancaster Center, Lincoln. Contact Jason@h2oboy.net.
Jan. 16-18
Missouri Smallflows Conference, University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, Springfield. Call Tammy Trantham at 417/739-4100 or visit www.mosmallflows.org.
Jan. 17-18
Ohio Onsite Wastewater Association Conference and Trade Show, Hyatt Regency, Columbus. 866/843-4429; www.ohioonsite.org.
Jan. 19-20
Colorado Professionals for Onsite Wastewater Educational Conference, PPA Event Center, Denver. Visit www.cpow.net.
Jan. 23-24
Pennsylvania Decentralized Wastewater Conference and Trade Show, Lancaster Marriott and Conference Center, Lancaster. Call Stacy Henninger at 717/763-7762 or visit www.psma.net.
Jan. 26-28
Alberta Onsite Wastewater Management Association Convention and Trade Show, Mayfield Inn and Convention Centre, Edmonton. 877/489-7471; www.aowma.com.
Jan. 27-28
Washington Onsite Sewage Association Conference, Yakima Conference Center, Yakima. Call John Thomas at 253/297-2837 or visit www.wossa.org.
Jan. 27-28
Wisconsin Onsite Water Recycling Association and Wisconsin Liquid Waste Carriers Association Joint Convention, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Stevens Point. 800/377-6672; www.wowra.com.
Jan. 30-31
Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professional Association Annual Conference, Camp Camby, Indianapolis. 317/889-2382; www.iowpa.org.
Jan. 30-Feb. 1
Minnesota Onsite Wastewater Association Convention and Exhibitor Showcase, Sheraton South, Bloomington. 952/345-1145; mowacarla@aol.com.
Feb. 6-9
Onsite Wastewater Professionals of Illinois Annual Conference and Trade Show, Gateway Conference Center, Collinsville. Contact Steve Johnson at jswastewatersystems@mchsi.com.
Feb. 8-9
Utah Onsite Wastewater Association Conference. Location to be determined. 435/797-3155; http://uwrl.usu.edu/partnerships/training/uowa.html.
Feb. 10
Saskatchewan Onsite Wastewater Management Association Conference and Trade Show, Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre, Saskatoon. 877/489-7471; www.sowma.ca.
Feb. 10-11
Oregon Onsite Wastewater Association Conference, Seaside Civic and Convention Center, Seaside. 541/389-6692; www.o2wa.org.
Feb. 21-22
Texas Onsite Wastewater Association Conference, Waco Convention Center. Call Tim Taylor at 888/398-7188 or visit www.txowa.org.
Feb. 22-24
Kentucky Onsite Wastewater Association Conference, Hyatt Regency, Louisville. 270/314-7110; www.kentuckyonsite.org.
Feb. 27-March 1
Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International, Indianapolis. Call 866/933-2653 or visit www.pumpershow.com.
March 2-3
Onsite Wastewater Management Association of British Columbia, Coast Capri Convention Centre, Kelowna. Call Lesley Desjardins at 877/489-7471 or email lesleyd@shaw.ca.
