NATION: Evaluating Methane Gas
The Water Environment Research Foundation is funding evaluation of the potential for methane emissions from onsite systems.
Prior estimates by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggest that 76 percent of the wastewater sector’s methane emissions are from onsite systems. However, the EPA methodology assumes that all carbon in anaerobic systems converts to methane, which then enters the atmosphere. Recent studies suggest that is not the case. The actual levels of methane production are still in question.
The research will obtain data from onsite systems with common configurations and identify any degradation pathways. The team also will investigate the variety and effectiveness of existing controls, and provide an analysis of methane production, capture and control of common septic tank designs.
ARIZONA: Septic Education Program
The community of Prescott, Ariz., has an ongoing debate about whether to sewer certain areas. As a result, Lowell Fagen, Brian Bishop, Suzanne Ehrlich, Geoff Meek and Lou Brown, board members of the Arizona Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association, developed the first-of-its-kind Septic Education Program for Homeowners. Two presentations to capacity crowds taught Prescott homeowners how their onsite system works, how to recognize problems, and how to maintain and operate the systems to extend the service life and save money. Attendees received an operation and maintenance manual developed by the team. The program is available to all Arizona communities.
OHIO: Alternate Energy Source
Urine-powered cars, homes and personal electronic devices could be available by the end of the year with new technology developed by scientists from Ohio University. Using a nickel-based electrode, the scientists can create large amounts of cheap hydrogen from any animal’s urine, energy that could then be burned or used in fuel cells.
By attaching hydrogen to nitrogen, Gerardine Botte, a professor at Ohio University developed the technology, and her colleagues realized that they could store hydrogen without exotic environmental conditions, then release it with less electricity, 0.037 volts instead of the 1.23 volts if bonded to water.
Botte’s prototype measures 3 by 3 by 1 inch and produces 500 milliwatts of power. However, the team is trying to commercialize several larger versions of the technology. A urine-powered vehicle could theoretically travel 90 miles per gallon. A refrigerator-sized unit could produce one kilowatt of energy for a rough estimate of $5,000. The team believes this is the kind of process that will find many applications and make for a greener world.
Training & Education
National Association of Wastewater Transporters
NAWT has these sessions:
• Nov. 5-6 – Operation and Maintenance, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
• Dec. 3-4 – Onsite Installer Training, Sacramento, Calif.
• Jan. 12 – Vacuum Truck Technician, East Lansing, Mich.
• Jan. 26-27 – Onsite Inspector Training, Laughlin, Nev.
• Feb. 13-14 – Onsite Inspector Training, Georgetown, Del.
• Feb. 13-14 – Operation and Maintenance Training, Georgetown, Del.
For California classes, call the California Onsite Wastewater Association at 530/321-2207. For Michigan classes, call Mark Scott at 989/275-5011. For Nevada classes, call Kitt Farrell-Poe at 928/782-3836. For Delaware courses, call Jerry Williams at 302/855-5904.
Alabama
Licensing classes are the joint effort of the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Association and University of West Alabama. Courses are at the UWA Livingston campus:
• Nov. 11-13 – Basic Installer
• Dec. 3-4 – Continuing Education
• Dec. 9-11 – Advanced Level II Installers
Call 334/396-3434 or visit www.aowa.org.
Arizona
The Arizona Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association has an Advanced Design of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems course Nov. 19-20 at Maricopa. Call Kitt Farrell-Poe at 928/782-3836 or e-mail kittfp@ag.arizona.edu.
California
The California Onsite Wastewater Association training schedule is as follows:
• Nov. 5-6 – CIDWT Operation and Maintenance, San Luis Obispo
• Dec. 3-4 – Installer Training, Sacramento.
Call 530/321-2207 or visit www.cowa.org.
Michigan
The Michigan Onsite Wastewater Training and Education Center at MSU Tollgate Center in Novi has Onsite Wastewater Systems 101 courses on Nov. 4-5. Call Barb DeLong at 517/355-4720 or visit www.egr.msu.edu/age/outreach.html.
Missouri
The Missouri Smallflows Organization is offering these CEU courses:
• Nov. 10-11 – Dispersal and Water Management, Branson
• Nov. 17-18 – Troubleshooting and Hydraulics, Camdenton
• Dec. 8-9 – Dispersal and Water Management, Hillsboro
• Dec. 15-16 – Operation and Maintenance, El Dorado Springs
Call 417/739-410 or visit www.mosmallflows.org.
New England
The New England Onsite Wastewater Training Program at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston has these workshops:
• Nov. 5 – Rhode Island Designer Examination Preparation
• Nov. 19 –AutoCALC: Automated Bottomless Sand Filter Sizing and Pump Calculations
• Dec. 3 – Regulatory Setback and Buffers
• Dec. 10 – Nitrogen in the Environment and Onsite Systems
• Dec. 15 – Designing Nitrogen Removal Technologies
Call 401/874-5950 or visit www.uri.edu/ce/wq.
North Carolina
North Carolina Soils and On-Site Wastewater Training Academy has the following courses at Raleigh unless stated otherwise:
• Nov. 3 – Introduction to Advanced Pretreatment Technologies, Manteo
• Nov. 4 – Inspector Field Practicum, Plymouth
• Nov. 10 – Getting the Dirt on Soil, Mills River
• Nov. 10 – Onsite System Technologies
• Nov. 11 – Introduction to Advanced Pretreatment Technologies, Mills River
• Nov. 11 – Septic System Options for Difficult Sites
• Nov. 17-19 – Introductory Installer Training
• Dec. 1 – Inspector Field Practicum, Bolivia
• Dec. 2 – Introduction to Advanced Pretreatment Technologies, Bolivia
• Dec. 8 – Inspector Field Practicum, Plymouth
• Dec. 9 – Introduction to Advanced Pretreatment Technologies, New Bern
• Dec. 9-10 – Troubleshooting and Remediation of Septic Systems
• Dec. 11 – Advanced Design Lab
• Dec. 11 – Pumps and Controls, Manteo
• Dec. 15 – Basic System Troubleshooting, Greensboro
• Dec. 16 – Remote Systems, Greensboro
• Dec. 17 – The Science behind the Soil and Site Rules, Greensboro
Call Joni Tanner at 919/513-1678 or visit www.soil.ncsu.edu/training.
The North Carolina Septic Tank Association is offering the Installer/Inspector course Nov. 12-13 in Hickory. Call Connie Stephens at 336/416-6394 or visit www.ncsta.net.
Virginia
The following courses by the Virginia Center for Onsite Wastewater Training are at Blackstone:
• Nov. 2-6 – Design Camp II
• Nov. 4-5 – Wastewater 101
• Dec. 2-3 – Effluent Dispersal Systems
Call Lydia Cox at 434/292-3101 or visit www.southside.edu.
Pumper invites state associations to post notices and news items in this column. Send contributions to editor@pumper.com.
Calendar
Oct. 20-21
Delaware Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association Technical Conference, Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, Dover. Call Mike Cotten at 302/226-2844 or visit www.dowra.org.
Oct. 22-23
Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services Rural Wastewater Treatment Expo, Hamilton. Call 877/202-0082 or visit www.oasisontario.on.ca.
Oct. 25-28
Virginia Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association Conference and Trade Show, Holiday Inn Select/Koger South Conference Center, Richmond.
Call Ben Morrell at 540/465-9623 or visit www.vowra.org.
